Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-27
INTEREST IN BUDGET
British Eyes on Chancellor and
His Estimates.
GOSSIP OVER NEW TAXES
May Weigh More Heavily on the
Rich Than the Poor.
QUICKENING OVER AIRSHIPS
Officials Now Anxious to Engage the
Wrights.
Pertinent Sentiment for Army Ex-
periments-Tubercu
Warfare.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


political interest on the revision of the
tariff all England has its eye on Chan
cellor Of the ExchcIuer Lloyd George and
his budget. There have been rumors that
ii would be introduced before Easter, but
i am assured or high parliamentary au-
thOrity that it will not come before the
house before the customary time, which
is about the third week In April All the
time between now and the end of March
will be spent In dealing with appropria-
lions for administrative departments. the
introduction of housing reform bill and
an Irish land bill. There is to be only
short adjournment at Easter; probably
only ten days. The city is aFitated as to
how money is TO be found for the inevi-
table deficit and expensive social reforms
such as old age pensions.
LloydS are doing a big insurance bust
ness this week insuring budget risks to
cover any losses caused by possible in
creases in the duties on tea, sugar, coffee
and OF the income tax.
1t is probable. however. that the chan
cellor of exchequer will avoid touching
food stuffs. it being an old liberal claim
that the party stands for free break
fast table" Clearly the liquor interests
charges for liquor selling licenses are a
certainty and heavier duty on wines Is
also anticipated. \ tax on mining royal
ties and land tax of some kind are in
dlcated as the more radical of the new
devices TO bring money into the depleted
treasury.
] am told that Lord Lansdowne is being
pressed by section of his party to throw
out the budget. but has definitely refused
to do SO. No doubt the new taxes will
weigh more heavily on the rich than on
the poor, and for this very reason Lord
Lansdowne is said to be convinced that
the rejection of the budget by the house
of lords would be fatal step for the
unionist party. For 1t would also enable
the liberal party to go to the country
with the cry that the lords had taken an
unconstitutional step. and had refused
supply for the army and navy.
The lords cannot alter the budget under
British constitutional usage, since the
house of commons is the controlling au-
fhor1ty on financial matters. But as a
whole the house of lords can reject It
and so precipitate a general election.
erals they can do II safely on liquor iegis-
1ation or some kindred subject that ap-
peals to the passions Of the masses, but
they would be rash to pose as merely the
rich mans champions. Nevertheless the
current prediction is that the liberal gov
eminent will appeal to the country In
June. their advocacy being for free trade
reform OF the house Of lords and electoral
reform and their main hope resting on
their commencement Of a system of old
age pensions during the present parlia-
ment.
Free Traders Are Stirred.
AS to free trade, the progress Of the
protectionists is stirring the free traders
into activity In preparation for the gen.
eral election. Mr. Asquith's. speech on
free trade in London this week is to be
followed by vigorous campaign In the
out every week at present about a dozen
speakers. who go from place to place
addressing meetings. But this little band
OF lecturers Is now much too small, and,
indeed. they are mere drop in the buck
ct as compared with the flood of speeches
which is poured out by the lecturers OF
the Tariff Reform League. backed as 1t
IS by all the wealthy protectionist man.
ufacturers.
1t IS now suggested that an army Of
canvassers should be formed and regu-
larry instructed by organized lectures at
the National Liberal Club and elsewhere
10 combat the efforts of the tariff reform
'tramps" as they are jocularly called.
lage. especially at the time of q by-elec-
ton. and talk TO the workmen in the
public houses and in their own cottages.
There will be some lively scenes ii the
free trade 'tramps' meet their tariff re-
form rivals in the tavern.
l am told that many of the great urban
centers. where liberalism or labor was
once unchalienged, would now return
protecuonist to parliament, and that the
officials at the central conservative or
ganiZaton are already confident of
majority over all other parties at the
next general election. They believe that
the longer the government stays in Office
the more certain and more triumphant
Will be the victory of protection.
Shipbuilding Program.
In connection with the competition be-
tween England and Germany in naval
matters and the difficulty OF arranging
compromise between the big navy"
liberals and the economists as to the
shlpbuiiding program this Year a story
Is going the rounds that shows how
seriously some of the British admiralty
big guns" take themselves.
When the cabinet and the lords of the
admiralty were discussing the naval pro-
gram the prime minister, Mr.. Asuuith.
suggested that Sir John Fisher and his
colleagues should attend d cabinet meet
ing 10 give evidence as to the state of
the navy The sea lords came I'm due
course, 10 find not the prime minister. but
Alr- Lloyd George. presiding over the
meeting They al once protested against
this assumption of authority on the part
OF the chancellor of the exchequer. and
asked that Mr.. Asquith should be sent
for. But Mr.. Asquith refused to come
and the sea lords departed in dire dudg-
con, TO send their evidence in writing to
the government The story reveals what
serious tension there was at one time he
tween the admiralty and the govern
ment.
Greater interest is springing up in Eng
land just now In regard to the aeroplanes
OF the Wright brothers than ever before.
This is due TO the fact that there is clear
ly something doing between these
American brethren and the British gov
eminent. Mr.. Balfour. the ex-premier,
IT may be remembered, saw Wilbur
wright performing at Pau and grew
enthusiastic on the ease of the flight
Since his return to London he has, by
request, given his impressions to Premier
Asquith and Secretary for War Haidane
In consequence there will be experiments
by the Wright brothers In ENGLAND later
though their engagements In Italy seem
to show they cannot do much in England
experiments will be carried out on the
grounds OF the Aero Club at Shepoey
near the mouth OF the Thames, the army
trying ground at Marlborough being too
small.
Il was Mr.. Churchill who Insisted on tho
Wrights being brought to England in
order that their aeroplane might be tested
for the army or the navy. The majority
OF the cabinet. Mr.. Haldane and Mr. Nc.
kenna included. have always been very
skeptical about tho advantages OF the
has been SO persistent in stating his casa
that Britain must not be behind other
countries In the matter that IL is QUITE
possible that before the end of the ses.
PILES CURED IN @ TO II nAYS