New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-15
Victory for Cabinet on
Home Rule and Darda-
nelles Is Forecast

who voted against him to-day are eX-
pected to be with him if divisions are
forced on those questions.
Ex-Premier Asquith, who Is a cher
sufferer from the Dardanelles report
showed tonight his desire to avoid any
action which would embarrass the gov
eminent. He supported it on the India
question and pleaded for unity in the
face of danger.
A strong plea was made by the Pre-
mier. who asserted that the govern
ment policy was the only fair plan
toward India, which, in addition to the
great assistance already given toward
the prosecution of the war, would sup
ply further man-power for military
operations.
! Lancashire Forces Vote
J. Austen Chamberlain, Secretary for
India, alluded to grave matters IN the
recent government of India, which
would only be revealed when the ar
chives gave up their secrets.
The Lancashire members, realizing
that the chance of blocking the duties
was gone, held a hurried meeting and
decided to carry the question to a diy'-
sion as a formal protest.
/ Andrew Bonar Law. Chancellor of the
Exchequer, in a speech winding up the
debate, denied that this proposal was
the thin end of the wedge of tariff re-
form. The Viceroy of India had said
it was impossible to get loan Of $780,
100000 unless the duties were i'm
posed. They had to choose between
trouble in India and trouble in Lam
cashire.
Premier Lloyd Georges reference to
India supplying more troops is consid-
cred important This course was
strongly advocated recently by VIM
ston Spencer Churchill.
The compromise on which the gov
eminent won was suggested by Mr..
Asquith, and resulted in contning the
issue to the immediate question, leav-
ing the general policy to be taken up
again after the war. The battle was
Joined on the governments resolution
bringing the matter before the House
in the form of an expression OF graft
tude to India for its $500 100000 gift
toward the expenses of the war, with
paragraph giving consent to the in
crease by India of the import duty on
cotton goods from 3l2 to IA per cent.
Free Traders Refuse TO Vote
The Cabinet found itself in q slight
" easier position than had been eX-
pected, owing to the general sentiment
among the more moderate men on both
sides against precipitatlng a Cabinet
crisis and general elections in the
midst of the war. On this account
many members who are ardent free
traders and are opposed to the cotton
goods measure decided to show their
displeasure merely by abstaining from
voting.
The Lancashire men offered an
amendment providing that an internal
duty on Indis-made cotton goods should
be imposed so as TO counterbalance
exactly the import duty. This was
beaten. 265 TO 1875, and the government
resolution with the Asquith amendment
was adopted without a division.
Premier Lloyd George, justifying the
course adopted as a war measure, eX-
planned that il was a good deal more
than the acceptance of the loan OF
$500, 000 900 There was absolutely no
doubt. he said, that India would be able
to assist materially in man-power.
Continuing, he said:
Eve are making special arrange
ments in India from that viewpoint.
and we are also asking India to take a
much larger share in the equipment and
maintenance of our armies. We are
anxious to conciliate, to get the good
will, the sympathy and the zeal of
India, particularly at this moment.
viii Help in War
I've therefore thought. as . matter
of policy. as a war measure, that this
great act OF justice should be extended
TO India, and do not doubt that we
shall reap an abundant harvest for this
deed of justice and fair play.
az think in a very short time the
country will realize what it means and
how materially it will help us in the
prosecution of the war.
81 believe the Lancashire apprehen-
sions are exaggerated; but should it
appear that they are well founded. it i :
neither in the interests of India nor any
other parts OF the empire TO destroy
this great trade in Lancashire. which
is one of the empires greatest assets 3"
Explaining that in his reply to the
deputation yesterday he had expressed
views similar to those embodied in
former Premier Asquth's amendment