New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-18
DIPLOMACY AND TAx-PAYIyG.

In this country 1T Is not easy 10 appreciate
the difficulties which Lord Beaconsfield has
had to overcome in England, but he stands
condueror to-day, and men are asking what
higher fame he can possibly achieve, and
what higher honor a grateful Queen and
country can yet bestOw. He has achieved for
Great Britain victory of greater pretensions
than has been accomplished by any English
statesman since Pitt sent Napoleon to ST..
Helena IL is the greater and prOuder, be-
cause the best blood of England has not been
poured out upon another field of Waterloo.
Diplomacy has gained for the nation greater
prestige on the Continent than many battles
and bloody victories could have yielded, but
the quality to which, above all, Lord Beacons-
field owes his success and his singular hold
upon British confidence, is his indOmtable
pluck. Call it audacity; call it impudence
still it has represented the fearless and UNI
conquerabe spirit of the great nation which
he, an alien in race, has made his own. An
glo-Saxon England has no better representa-
tive of its masterful spirit of conquest and
commercial supremacy than the jew who may
yet be called Duke of Cyprus.
The splendid triumph of the man and OF
the Nation will not, however, blind distant
observers TO the fact that England has en-
tered upon new path. 1t may be doubted
whether any Englishman can tell whittier that
path will lead. When Lord BeacOnsiield de-
clared that Great Britain was essentially an
Asiatio power, ; startled the nation, but he
foreshadowed the future. From this time for
ward. unless the policy of the Empire greatly
changes, the whole course of Great Britain,
both in its foreign policy and its adjustment
of domestic finances and taxation, must be
governed by its relations with the East
Months ago, in very able editorial, The
Economist pointed out that the maintenance
Of British supremacy in India, and in the
commerce of Asia, must result in very
great changes in the magnitude OF stand
ing armies and navIes requilad and IN
the regular expenses of the Government.
Already it is easy to see that the new resp0n-
sibilty as to Cyprus and Asiatic Turkey, as
sumed by Great Britain for the security of
its possessions in India, will inyOlve large and
constant expenditure. A British prOtectorate
of Asiatic Turkey will mean, sooner or later,
British possession, or war 10 prevent dispos-
session. Cyprus may yield revenue as
colony, but the forces necessary to garrison
this fortress of British power in the East, and
the money necessary 10 fortify il, will count
hereafter in the budget Vast advantages to
British commerce may be expected, no doubt,
but they will cost something and the tax
payer must expect, sooner or later, to pay
something for the enlarged opportunities OF
the British trader
The taxpayer would be unreasonable if he
were not willing. For larger commerce means
larger gains, and more ample means with
which TO meet the burdens of taxation. Eng
lands chief industries have been sOrely pros
trated because of the insuiliciency of foreign
markets. 1t costs the taxpayers many millions
a year to support those who find no work and
are idle, and if the great army of the unem-
ployed can be set TO work for Asia, there will
be something gained in saving of expenses at
home, even if something is added to expendi-
lures abroad. If the country can be made
more prosperous, if its workmen can be more
fully employed, Great Britain can well afford
to pay large sums as the result of Lord Bea
consiield's triumph. Not without reason is
there rejoicing at his victorious return, if
only a part of the commercial fruits antici
pated are finally gathered.