New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-04
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
UNIONTSTS LOOKING FOR A SPEEDY GEN.
ERAL ELECTION.
THE GOVERNMENTS DISPOSITION TO CON.
SoLIDATE ITS STRENGTH THROUGH 4
THE RECENT vICTORIES-TAXEs
TO PAY FOR THE WAR


TO PAY FOR THE WAR
copyright 1900: by The New-York TrbuneJ
tBY CABLE rRIBrNEl
London. March st is not vet clear whether
LORD Roberts. through his successes in the field.
has become a general election agent for the
Unionist Government nor is it clear whether
the Chancellor of the Exch equer has shown
something like nervousness over the urgent re-
qurements of the chest. The sudden
nouncenlent that the Budget would be intro
duced on Monday and debate closed the fol-
lowing night interpreted last night in the
Commons as warning that Beaconsfeld's pro-
cedure IN 1880 would be followedl and the gem
eral elections be brought on prematureiy. The
precedent was not an auspicious one for the
Government for Beaconsfeld. after taking up
the Budget In advance of the usual time. was
defeated when he appealed the country
Some Of the shrewdest experts the Unionist
side assert. however. that the Government viii
be we'll advised In ordering the elections this
year. and even in the course of few months.
instead OF deferring them to another year. when
the enthusiasm for the war will have cooled on
and the increased burdens of taxation will be
felt. The Opposition is not prepared for gen.
erai election, and its whips most anxious to
have the canvass postponed for twelve months.
This reluctance the part Of the Liberals 10
the close of the war convinces Mr. Chamberlain
and most astute politicians the Unionist
benches that the Government has everything
to gain and nothing to lose by forcing the
general elections before the conditions of peace
In South Africa are under discussion The off,
cial explanation is that Sir Michael Hicks
Beach's motive in bringing forward the Budget
a month ahead of time is bIsinesslike rather
| than political. The grants already voted for
4
fresh supplies urgently needed Additional
sources of revenue must be provided and II is
important that resolutions increasing indirect
taxation should be passed with the shortest
possible interval for anticipating them so that
traders cannot clear goods out Of bond.
Some Of the best informed members Of Par
lament assert to-day that the Ministers are
merely acting from prudential motives, and that
the unexpected production OF the Budget will
| not be a prelude TO the immediate dissolution OF
Parliament The war bill which Sir Michael
Hicks Beach will be forced TO foot up is gener-
ally set down at 900 600 OOO but there are
official figures except the army estimates. since
the end of the war is not in sight and the hnaa-
cial year is not ended. Sir AIichsePs estimates
both of revenue and expenses will be hypotheti
cal. but certainly there will be a large increase
in indirect taxes as well considerable addi-
| tions 10 the national debt
ment. having already borrowed fS.OGOOO0 VIII
| have TO raise loan OF not less than f60OO0OOo.
and that this amount will subsequently be in
| creased to f1O0O00OO0. They expect that the
Chancellor CT the Exchequer will add a shilling
a barrel to the beer duty. a shilling gallon 60
! spirits. eight pence a pound % tobacco. and a
penny TO the income tax, and in this way in
crease current revenues by f7O0OO00 and bor-
row from f60.0O0.OO0 20 f1O0OO0Oo0. COnsunl-
ers of tobacco wine. spirits. beer. coffee. tea and
even cocoa, may he forced TO pay for Lord Rob-
erts's campaign for the unity of the Empire, and
income taxpayers will be lucky to get off with an
extra penny The bulk OF the expenditures will
| be transferred to the coming generation in the
form of further issues of cOnsols and termiuable
annuities.
Whatever may be the financial procedure or
| political plans OF the Ministers. Lord Roberts
has cleared the situation for them at home
we'll as IN South Africa He has silenced Mr..
| Alfred Harmsworths guns. turned Lord Rose
| berys flank and entrapped the peace party as
completely as he did Cronje's in his laager at
| the bottom OF the river. There 3 no more gos-
sip about the reorganization OF the Cabinet. and
the military writer's whose dispirited complaints
of Ministerial incapacity were considered OF vital
| Importance few weeks ago are now charged
| with making much ado about nothing. British
| imperialism has received a tremendous impulse.
and the meetings of the peace party at Exeter
| Hall are broken up by mob of patriots from
| the Strand The Ministry which put "Bobs'' in
the saddle is no longer under obligations TO
make any defence or apology; IL has the country
/ behind it. and appeal with confidence for
popular support on the single issue OF the unity
of the Empire. The Ministers will do this il they
are we'll advised rather than wait for settle
ment of the South African question after the
war IS ended and Pandora's box is opened
| The study of condolences has been promoted
| by the victories of Lord Roberts and Sir Red
vers Butler or Majuba Day. Mr.. II. Rassam in
| to-day's Times recalls a similar one in the
Abyssinian war. when he arrested by King
Theodore April IL and Magdala was capt
| ured the same day two years after Another
| correspondent makes the point that the tide be-
gan to turn. in favor Of England the day
when a national appeal was made in all churches
for Divine assistance. and when Lord Roberts
started his great turning movement. The Beers
/ however, mag have some counter evidence
| the question of the prayer test
| The victories in South Africa are most popu-
| lar in the West End. where people are be-
ginning TO take an interest in something besides
war charities. and are already talking about
| early drawing rooms and the presentation OF
several charming debutantes The Duchess of
Devonshire is leading the way by giving series
| of dinner parties and there are many small din
| ners and luncheons at the great houses
Miss Isedora Duncan has been dancing at
several houses for the entertainment Of large
companies. and charming them with her grace
| and her talent for illustrating poetry and
| music While several dramatic critics consider
IT necessary 10 demonstrate that London is the
capital of the United Kingdom by condemning
Mr.. Benson's shakespearian company with faint