The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-13
BRITISH WAR TAXES.


w the British Ministry call the reserves OF
~ the army and to vote money to carry on the
in South Africa the Ministry contented itself with
asking permission to borrow money Nothing was
said about taxes Since Parliament adjourned how
ever there has been good deal OF discussion OF the
subject for it is clear the money must be raised at
some time and somebody will have to pay taxes to
provide it.
There is to be no hurry in meeting the issue The
London News stated the other day. The first object
OF the Government is to make the war popular" That
means, OF course the Government will not add any
thing the burdens OF the British taxpayer during
the war il by borrowing money it avoid doing So
The Chancellor OF the Exchequer is reported to have
suggested the possibility OF meeting the expenses OF
the OF the ordinary taxation OF the year. Eek
ceptonaly increased for that purpose" but the sug-
geston seems to have met with little favor An
other suggestion that the income tax be increased to
one shilling the pound and that tax be levied on
beer has been even less commended. Such taxes
would be sure to make the war unpopular and dampen
the ardor for conquest.
! In this dilemma some strange means for providing
money to pay off the debt that is being contracted
have been put forth. The Westminster Gazette notes
that good many persons believe the war to be car
ried not for the benefit of the British people but
for that of the gold and diamond miners of South
Africa and for the Uitanders in the Transvaal These
persons maintain that the of the war should be
taxed upon the South African benehciaries 1t is
| argued that the entire revenue needed to make up
for the expenditure OF the struggle should be made
charge upon the resources of the Transvaal and be
exacted from that country after the conquest
In commenting upon the proposition the Gazette
says: Though it may not be wise when we are at
the beginning OF a campaign to anticipate any of the
fruits OF victory it certainly lawful contemplate
settlement in which the Uanders shall contribute
their fair share to the cost of their emancipation.
But it is not lawul-it would on the contrary be
outrageous-to regard the Transvaal as rich booty
which the Beers will be called upon disgorge be-
cause they have dared to defend their country If we
are going to treat them honorable foes and to do
ourselves justice honest people, we need not stop
to discuss these monstrous proposals for making the
Beer pay vcariously for the Uitlander. We may be
quite sure at all events that this war and the recon
sructlon after the will cost a great deal more
than the ten millions now required There will be
ample opportunities hereafter for making the Ut-
lander pay his share and the Boer the indemnity
which in all wars just unjust, falls on the beaten
party"
The issue is that will have to be treated Sc
riously by the Government as soon as Parliament as
sembes- 1t will not be possible to postpone the is
indefinitely for the purpose of making the war
popular. Somebody will have to pay the cost, and
however earnestly the Ministry may try impose all
the burden upon the people of South Africa it GER
tain the British taxpayer in the end will have to put
up the biggest share OF it.