Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-08-11
THE COST OF THE WAR.


War 10 costly luxury in the mers
matter of money expenditure, to say
nothing of the destruction OF property
and the loss Of human life.
Statements issued by the Treasury
Department since the beginning of the
war. Washington special says, con
tain all expenditures made upon
acquisitions from tho War and Navy
Departments, and the exress OF ex-
penditures over those during cor
responding period of last year 10
attributed to the war. but cuntraots
have bven mado and bills are still out
standing which make 1t probable that
full figures have not yet heen obtained.
Whila the various bureaus OF the War
Department keep rigid accounts of all
money expended, they do not foot up
the totals, leaving il to the Treasury
to audit nll accounts and determine
the aggregate.
SO far the Treasury figures show that
about 800, QUO, 600 has been sent. but
bow many debta already contracted
of knowing. Tho expenditures for the
War aad Navy Departments d ring tho
mouth OF July amounted to Si3. 288, :
d62. So, and during May and June to q
little less than $50, 1000, 600 for each
month. The expenditures for August
will probably be the largest yet, for
the reason that macy of the bills for
July will he paid, and the cost of the
Porto RicHn expe,iitinn and the re-,
moyal of the army from Santiago will,
IL is thought, be included. 1t is ex-
peoted. however, that an average ex-
Denditura Of 81, 500, 600 per day will not
| be exceeded.
1ne total cost of the war depends, Of
| couIae. upon its duration, but it is
already evident that should peace be
| declared during the next few weeks.
| the necessity of maintaining the
prassnt military establishment will
continue until other means of con-
/ trolling Cuba. Porto Rico and The
| philippines arc found.
In this connection the question oil
4 expenditures ia not 50 important to the
Treasury officials as that of receipts.
With thu 5000, 600 600, the proceeds Of
the bond sale, which has not yet beer
covered into the Treasury accounts,
there will he ample money for AL
necessary purposes, but IL ia the hopt
of the Treasury that receipts from
taxation, which are showing GRITTY
ing improvement, will uefray ali OK
psnses.
It ia thought possible now that ther,
may DO no actual need for the proceeds o
the bond ISSUE The War Revenue bill
went into effect on July 1st, and th,
receipts from internal revenue in
creased from SIG. $50, 365. 80 10 June Il
S26, 16O, G97. 70 in July. From the frs
of the prescott month the receipts from
internal revenue have exceeded 81, 0o0,
900 q day, SO that the total for tn
month will probably exceed $50. 900, 000
At the same Tins receipts from customs
which fell of to an alarming extent a
the beginning of the war, are again in
creasing. and ii is thought will each
normal figure in very short time.
Y The customs rRoeipt for Jul
amounted to SIG, 100, 6S0.96, and hav
for August averaged more tina
$500, 600 daily, and constant inursas
Is expected. The combined recsipt
from custums, internal revenue IN
miscellaneous sources amounted toda
to So, 27l, lt6. %, and the average dali
reoeipts for the present month hav
! exceeded $l,500, QUO. IL the same pre-
portion of increase that has been al
parent during the last few weeks cor
, | tiuues, it may not be long before tn
revenues will average so, 00O, 600 day
? figure that should meet not only a
the war expenditures, but all til
ordinary expenditures Of the govern
/ ment az we'll