The ill-fooling between the Liberal and Clerical parties in Belgium
has led to serious riots in Brussels. Owing to the dis- sensions among the Liberals, M. d'Anethan's Ministry has a majority of two-thirds, but the minority is very strong among the town populations. The Premier recently admitted M. Decker to high office, a man against whom rests some suspicion or charge of having profited by some fraudulent agricultural associa- tions. There is no proof whatever of the charge before the country, but M. Bara denounced the appointment, the Liberals outside took up the cry, and there have been daily riots, dur- ing which, however, both King and Ministry have remained firm. M. Decker has resigned, but the riots continue, the object being to force the Ministry either to resign or to call out the soldiery, thus rebinding the Liberal party. At present the Civic Guard has proved sufficient to protect the Parliament, but by the latest accounts part of it seemed inclined to fraternize with the rioters. The King, though suspected of Moderate Ultrarnontauism, has not yet been assailed, and the mob has self- control enough to suspend its demonstrations in order to allow some water-works to be opened with éclat. If the riots are not organized, they are not formidable ; if they are, we shall shortly have bad news from Ghent.
