The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-24
PROVIDING THE S|NEWS
Diversion in South Africa costs
Money.
TRANSVAAL MUST PAY IT
Big Increase In the Floating Debt-Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach Makes a
Statement in the House
iof Commons.

London, Oct. 2S.-1n the house of
commons to-day the chancellor of the
exchequer, Sir Michael HicksBeach,
made a stateemnt on the question OF
the expenditures made necessary
by the Transvaal war He said the
expenditures for the war had increas-
ed by the supplementary vote to
total of e121, POS, 900. but, he added, the
revenue had increased. and he expect
ed there would be an increase of 10
100000 over his estimate of the rev.
enue. This would be considerable
contribution toward the unforeseen eN-
penditures and would leave about il,-
100000 to be provided He thought
there should be no addition to the nix
ed debt, but the money should be rails
floating debt.
Although there might be something
in to-day's news giving cause for anX-
iety, yet he saw no reason to antlcl-
pate that the campaign would not be
brought to a close within the period
for which the estimates were framed.
AS the British colonies had been invad-
ed it was deemed consistent with all
laws Of war. if. when it was brought,
to ask for the termination, the Trans
vaal taxpayers should at any rate
have to bear part of the cost. The
Transvaal, he continued was wealthy
in it's gold fields There had been com
plants from those interested in the
gold fields that there had been excess
i've taxation, but he believed from the
best information that under pure and
honest government it would be per-
fectly possible for the Transvaal to
bear not only the ordinary expenses of
government and of providing for the
maintenance of peace and order within
its territory, but also to provide rea-
sonable sum toward the expenses of the
war with a reduction at the same time
of the taxation of the gold fields.
Continuing. Sir Michael said:
IF these anticipations are not full
filled and the sum borrowed proves to
be but part of the total cost of the
war we shall appeal to your patriotism
next April. We believe those who
have supported us in the prosecution
of the work will not fail us when it
comes to pay the bill. If excessive tax
alton were introduced now il might
prolong the debate and produce a di-
vision which might be entirely misun-
derstood I shall not take any course
which will promote a division or pre-
vent us from presenting united front
in this crisis
Sir Campbell Bannerman, the leader
of the opposition, ag1 eed this was not
the proper time to discuss the financial
question and that it was not desirab BILE
to show sign of disunion.
The proposals of Sir Michael were
agreed to by a vote Of 336 to 90.
The reference of the chancellor of
the exchequer to the anxiety as to the
latest news apparently refer to Lord
Woolsey's announcement that the
British were falling back from Dundee
before superior forces. During the
days proceedings Patrick O'Brien, Par
nellite member from Kilkenny city,
was suspended for declaring that 1.-The
hands of the British secretary of state
for the colonies, Mr.. Chamberlain. are
as much stained with blood as those
of any murderer who ever mounted the
ScaffOld !"