BELGIUM. A socialistic association was found ed in 1866, and a labor party with a mixed so cialistic and anarchistic programme was estab lished in 1868. The international Workingmen's Association had sections in Belgium, but in 1872, when the schism between the Socialists and an archists took place, the Belgian sections joined the anarchists under Bakunin. The modern social-democratic movement in Belgium may be said to date from 1876, when party groups were organized under a physician, Dr. DePaepe, who was a convert from anarchism. The present party, called Parti Ouvrier Beige, was formally established in 18S5. In 1893 great socialist demonstrations took place. and a general strike was inaugurated with the purpose of securing universal suffrage. This effort was successful; and universal, but unequal, suffrage was granted to all males over twenty-five. Some of the voters, on account of educational or property qualifica tions, now have two or three votes. in the elec tion which took place in 1894 the Socialists polled 335,000 votes and elected 32 members of the national Parliament. In 1902 the number of Socialist votes cast was, in round numbers, 476.000 and the number of Deputies elected 34. Another general strike was inaugurated under Socialist auspices in April, 1902, in order to coerce the Government to grant, not only uni versal, but equal suffrage. The demonstrations and strike were unsuccessful.
There are several peculiarities in the socialist agitation in Belgium which render this country one of the most interesting and important in the history of modern social democracy. First may
be mentioned the close connection with the trades union movement. This, however, is not such a distinguishing feature of Belgian social de mocracy as is its connection with the cooperative movement. The Socialists in Belgium have start ed numerous cooperative establishments which have achieved a remarkable success. More than 200 of these are now affiliated with the Socialist Party, thus bringing it into connection with the daily economic life of the masses. The two chief cooperative establishments are the Maison du People of Brussels and the Vooruit in Ghent. The Maison has a membership of 25,000 and property exceeding in value 2,000.000 francs. These are great retail establishments, resembling the moilern department store. The masses show that they are closely attached to these coopera tive stores, through which the Socialist agitation is actively carried on.
There are several strong Socialist periodicals in Belgium having a large circulation. The of ficial paper in Brussels, Le People, claims a cir emulation of 70.000. L'Echo du People, an evening issue from the office of Le People, is also an offi cial organ. A monthly review called L'21 ven-ir Social is published.