Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-15
JOHN BULL BUDGET
Hicks-Beach's Proposals Contain
Other Things Than a Col
lection of Figures.
THEREIN ARE PEACE INDICATIONS
Suggestion Relative to the Restock-
ing of Farms-Boer Idea of
What Is Fair.

London, April 15.-Not for many
years has Great Britain's fiscal pro-
gramme been awaited with such in
terest as that which attached to this
years announcement, and there is no
doubt that all the proposals contained
in the budget given out yesterday by
Sir Michael Hicks-Beaeh. the chance:
lOr of the eXchequer. Will be adopted.
1t is equally certain, however. that
none of the proposals will meet with
the unanimous approval of either side
of the house. The chancellor stated
in the course of his announcement
that a certain sum would be used to
Testock the Boer farms. which was one
of the offers made by the government
to the Beers when Botha had his inter
view with Kitchener a year or so ago.
Big Sum May Not be Needed.
The Associated Press has learned
upon excellent authority that the prin-
cipal provision of the budget, namely
the treasury loan of f32, 100000. upon
which Sir Michael Hicks Beach was
remarkably reticent, has serious
bearing upon the peace question. There
appears to he a very strong belief in
the cabinet that owing to the expected
early termination of the war the f32.-
100000 will never be needed. When
that section of the budget gets to the
committee stage the peace negotiations
probably will have reached such shape
that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach Will be
able to announce a diminution of the
estimate. In any case this loan prob
ably will be called up in small install
ments only.
Taken : n Peace Indication.
The failure TO explain this important
point is taken in the house of COM
mons to Indicate that the government
has strong hopes of a speedy issue of
the negotiations now progressing at
Pretoria between the Boer leaders. al
though it wishes to impress the world
in general and the Beers in particular
with its ability and determination to
push the war to a finish should the
British terms of peace be refused. Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach is seldom dra-
matte. but when he referred to the
governments intention to reStock the
Boer as well as the colonial farms
his voice rose TO an eloquent pitch.
His gesture. as he spoke in praise of
the Valor of the Beers. and expressed
his hopes for subsequent friendship
between Briton and Boer. took the
house with him. and the cheers, espe-
the speaker from continuing his speech
for some moments.
Where the Money VIII Come From.
The articles to be taxed from which
the greatest revenue is expected are
sugar. export duty on coal (Which is
undecided by last years rcturnsl. wine,
tobacco. death duties. beer. the income
tax (which he practically declared the
governments great schemel. After
touching on various details the chan
cellor turned to the prospects of the
future. He estimated the expenditure
for the coming year at E1T4.609.000.
The revenue on the present basis of
taxation was f147. .TS5.OOO. leaving a
deficit of E26.S24.0OO. This would be
increased by IS,5O0.000 by gratuities
to the troops and bringing the soldiers
home. the maintenance of the South
African constabulary. and the cost of
the international sugar convention. etc.
making n gross deficit of upwards of
E45.O00.000.