The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-24
UPSET COMES IN
COMMONS0VER
ALIEN MEASURE
Majority of ~ Defeats the
Amendment to License
French Pilots.
ADJOURNMENT TO MONDAY
Situation May Be Saved by
Fact Half of Members
Were Absent.
ADJOURNMENT TO MONDAY
By the Associated Press.

LONDON, Oct. 23-The country to-
night is suddenly faced by the possi-
bility of a change Of Government or
dissolution of Parliament owing to the
quite unexpected defeat of the Gov
ernment in the House of Commons to-
Only about half the members were
present and the vote by which the
Government was defeated was 1856 to
113.
The alien bill, the earlier stages of
which were disposed of during the
summer session, was in the report
stage. The committee had previously
inserted an amendment withholding
pilotage certificates from all aliens and
to-day the Government sought by
amendment to modify this restriction,
in favor mainly of a number of French
pilots for whom special provision had
been made in the existing pilotage act
This amendment, however, was de-
feated, although in charge of Govern
ment whips.
The announcement of the figures was
greeted with loud cheers from the op-
position quarters and caused much ex-
element. Andrew Bonar Law imme-
diately moved adjournment of the House
until Monday to enable the Government
to consider what course 1t should adopt
He admitted that the defeat of an
amendment which was in the charge OF
Government whips was a serious matter.
requiring consideration, but he declined
to admit that it necessarily implied the
resignation of the Ministry. This, he
declared would depend upon the view
OF the House OF Commons as a whole
Opinions on the situation as expressed
in the lobbies are conflicting. but. in view
of the small attendance in the House, It
is thought that the Government may
decide not to resign.
1t is not unlikely Home Secretary
Shortt. who Is in charge of the alien
bill, may tender his resignation.
Finance Up on Wednesday.
Before the vote on the amendment to
the allen bill came up Bonar Law an
nounced that the promised general dis
cussion of financial questions in the
House will take place on Wednesday of
next week. Regarding the question of
House that an 'anti-dumping' bill was
being drafted by the Cabinet for early
! Introduction.
Austen Chamberlain, Chancellor of the
| Exchequer, said the average daily ex-
penditure from April l to September 80,
this year, was f4,225,0 900 (about $751;
o00.000). and from October to October
10 it was f3,763,000 (about S15.700. .000)
Special measures to deal with specula-
ftion in cotton, tobacco and soap under
the anti-prof1teering act are being con-
sidered by the Government, according to
statement by Under Secretary Bridge
man Of the Board of Trade.
Finance Up In Lords.
The House of Lords had its first word
to-day in connection with the financial
state of the country. 1t was in the
form of a resolution by Lord Buckmas-
ter calling attention to the gravity OF
the financial position" and suggestins
that it was essential that further tax
alton should be imposed"
| Lord Buckmaster declared his motion
was not intended as a vote OF censure OF
the Government The salient features
of the situation he said. were the inia-
ton OF the currency, the slightness OF
the reduction of the ways and means
| advances and the excess OF the daily eX-
penditures over the revenue. He en-
phasized his view that the financial po-
sition was at the very root Of the indus
trial discomfort.
Referring to the warning of Austen
Chamberlain, the Chancellor OF the Ex-
cheQuer, In the House of Commons last
August that il the country continued
spending at the rate II was doing its
course would lead straight TO national
bankruptcy, Lord Buckmaster said the
Government had not needed this warn
ing and was pursuing the same courss
, with unabated speed.
Lord Buckmaster estimated that the
country must find in normal times 1900,
00O, 900 by direct taxation, to secure
| which there were only three methods
namely a general capital levy, capita
levy on war profits or an increase OF
the income tax. He contended the bes'
course to be adopted was capital levy
on war profits. with perhaps an In
creased income tax also. The nation
he declared, must follow the road tc
sacrifice and hardship. but 1t was thu
road of honor and safety.