Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-05
WAR ALMOST DOUBLES
ENGLAND's PUBLIC DEBT
1t Now Stands VOL Over 80, 1000, Ooo.-
900 Mark, and Is Growing
$1O,5OO,OOO Daily.
CAST IS CITED BY CHANCELLOR
He Gives People Insight Into What 1t
Means Financially to Fight With
Allies-Declines to Predict When
End VIII Come.

LONDON. May 4.-David Lloyd
George, Chancellor of tho Exchequer,
to-day gave the British public fur
Their insight into what the war is cost
Ing the nation.
said, was $4,000, 900 daily, and he added
that II the war continued for year
Great Britain's bill would be upward Of
$4,000. 100000. The debt of the coun-
try. according to Mr.. George, already
has been almost doubled and stood we'll
over the $4,000. 100000 mark
The chancellor declined to predict the
length of the war. He introduced no
| measures calling for new taxes, al
though he hinted that such step likely
would have to be taken. There was
little discussion Of the budget itself,
and tho usual income tax resolutions
were passed before the House ad-
journed.
REVENUE OF COUNTRY
HAS EXCEEDED ESTIMATES
Mr.. George said he was able to re-
port that the revenue Of the country
mad exceeded the estimates and that
the surtax and income-tax payers were
sending In their money with unusual
celebrity.
During the evening, Austen Cham
oeriain mentioned the proposals for in
creasing the taxes on beer, wine and
spirits. which the Unionists and Ma
tionalists and several Liberal members
declared their intention to oppose Mr..
George announced that he intended 10
confer with brewers and d!stillers, and
! also that he was open to consider their
J. IoI
would ask that the government be
given power to control the sale Of
liquor in the areas where munitions of
war are made
The general impression in the lobby
after Mr.. George had delivered his
speech. was that the proposed new
taxes on wines, beers and spirits either
Will be withdrawn or greatly modified,
for. above all things. the government
desires unanimity
The chanccllors speech was taken
to indicate that at some future date
Mr.. George would propose huge loan
to finance the war for further period
OF from six to twelve months
GERMANY is CUT OFF
Bi FLEET OF ENGLAND
Comparing the financial problems OF
Great Britain and Germany, Mr. George
in his speech remarked that while
British imports had increased enor-
mously and exports had decreased con-
siderably. both the exports and i'm
ports OF Germany had been cut off by
the British navy.
From the point OF view Of n war
minister, Mr.. George added this made
Great Britain better off, but from the
point OF View Of finance minister her
position was more difficult. In the
ordinary year. the chancellor continued
British imports ranged $780, 600
above exports. but this year they would
be $500, 100000. exclusive of govern
ment purchases.
Referring TO the question or dis
elimination in recruiting, the chancel-
Tor said he though; the allies ought m
determine the part Great Britain should
play in the combination and the host
service she could render She could
he declared. keep command OF the sea
which was essential to the allies, u,,i-
mate success. especially IL the war woro
prolonged; she could maintain rre..
army on a Continental scale. and a third
service was one she had rendered in tho
Napoleonic days-bcarinS the main bur-
den of financing the allies.
Great Britain. said Mr. George cor,a
do the first and third Of these things
but the second she could do ONLY with
In certain limits. She had raised an
enormous army. but tho time had come
Tor discriminating in recruiting within
suggested limits. However. there is 2
great boom in recruiting.
CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCE,
The chancellor then caused :, smile
or relief by announcing that there
would be no fresh taxation. He said
he would confine himself at present To
asking the house to renew the income
tan on the scale announced in Novem.
Der, but with some modification. n
however. the war was PROLONGED tho
| chancellor added, it would be the dutv
of the house to consider what other
contribution the community could make
and In what other form to enable
Great Britain to carry on tho war
1T is vital for the successfu conduct
OF the war, and to help finance tho
allies, that our national savings should
increase" the chancellor said.