Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-24
MAKE The GOLD FIELDS PAY
Chancellor of Exchequer Beach's Plan for
Defraying Expenses of the War.
ANNOUNCED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
Irish Members Jecr and Patrick
O'Brien is Suspended for Chnrg-
ing that Chamberlain is
Guilty of Murder.

Copyright, 1899. by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, Oct 23.-(New York World Ca
begram-Special Telegram. )-Ex- President
Harrison, accompanied by Ambassador
Choate and Henry White were deeply inter-
eSted listeners to Chancellor of Exchequer
Beach's statement of war finances in the
House Of Commons this evening. The pol
icy of ultimately extracting the cost of war
from the gold fields was openly avowed by
Beach tonight who stated that: Though
the gold fields taxation is excessive l be-
lieve from the best of information l can
obtain that under pure and honest adminis-
tration it will be perfectly possible, in ad-
dition to the ordinary costs Of the govern
ment for the Transvaal to provide for the
maintenance of peace and order and also
provide a reasonable sum toward the ex-
penses we may incur in the war consistently
with reduction of taxation of the gold
fields"
This cynical confession of the real object
of the war was hailed with ironical cheers
by the opposition, while Harrison heard the
announcement with a grim smile. The
ministerial party retorted with counter
cheers, knowing that II the British tax
payer escapes taxation for war he will conf
placently accept its results. Labouchere
sarcastcaly suggested as the first step OF
enforcing payment from the Rand that the
gorgeous mansions of the Rand million
aires in Park Lane be ''commandeered."
Dillon urged that each should be made
to disgorge a half million sterling to be-
gin with
Thus this policy for conflicting reasons
was approved by all parties and even the
Rand magnates confess their readiness to
accept it.
Grave RumOrs AhOat.
Persistent rumors were afoat tonight in
the House Of Commons and later at military
and political clubs that the ministers have
received dispatches announcing a grave
reverse at Glencoe. Inquiry Of the ministers
and at the War department ELECTED only
the reply that no information for publca-
ton had been received. Dispatches were
undoubtedly received from General White
and the ministers after consultation decided
not to disclose their contents, giving instead
Lord Wolseley's views of the position of
the British forces in Natal. This reticence,
in contrast with the immediate disclosure
of official dispatches hitherto received, tends
to excite the gloomiest forebodirgs. The
ministers and their supporters are now
realizing the reckless haste with which they
plunged into war and the queens messages
in which she speaks of dearly bought vic
tories" and dreadful loss of life" indicate
with Ilainness that the queen never before
permitted herself under like circums tances
to express her disapproval of war. ..
The British forces in Natal have. ALREADY
lost in killed and wounded nearly 500 men
in three days fighting. The Gordon High
landers only lost officer killed and five
men in their famous attack on Dargai
heights in the Afridi campaign, while at
M.
nine wounded, twenty men killed and thirty
three wounded. The Beers distinguish and
shoot officers by reason Of their carrying no
rifles, their uniform being the same as the
mems.
Possible European Intervention.
The ministers deny all knowledge of any
European coalition against England but the
organization of special squadron and the
ordering of the channel squadron to Glib
raltar are sufficient evidence of their inten-
tion to be prepared for eventualities. II
Russia and France mean mischief the diff
cult situation in Natal will afford them
the opportunity for developing their plans.
But reliance is placed here on the apparent
friendly feeling of the kaiser to keep the
hostile powers in check.
The resistance of the Irish members in
all sections to the war policy continues un-
abated tonight. Parnellite Patrick O'Brien
declared in The debate:
Chamberlain is as guilty of murder as
any miscreant that ever went to the gal
lows"
He refused to withdraw the charge and
was suspended by a vote of the house.
When called upon to withdraw he retorted
on the speaker
"You need not get another army corps to
remove me; you will probably want 1t else
where"
Feeling in the House of Commons against
| the Irshmen is extremely bitter, Dillon and
Davitt denouncing the war at every oppor-
tunity as unjustifable, cruel and cowardly.
The Westminster Gazette gives the fullest
prominence tonight to your London dispatch
of September 80, detailing the terms in
tended for the British ultimatum approved
by the cabinet of that date, but never sent.
The Gazette describes 1t as the "most in
teresting' of all versions published, adding:
There is a good deal of intrinsic proba-
| bility in this, though it differs In some re-
| spects from the versions sent out over here
The duke Of Devonshire described the de-
| mands as moderate, but 1t need scarcely be
| pointed out that II they answered this de-
| scription they must as surely have precipi-
tated conflict as Krugers ultimatum."