San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-18
Chamber of Deputies Will
Meet Stern Situation in
Balancing Of Budget.
TO LEVY NEW TAXES
Action Will Be Confession
of Failure of Policies of
Last Three Years.
BY ANDRE TARBIEU.

Paris. Feb. Utilization promises
to precipitate sharp discussion the
effect of which cannot be forecast,
when the chamber begins considera-
ton of the budget next Tuesday.
There is a deficit of four billion
francs. This represents the interest
of internal loans and expenditures
for pensions and reconstruction. 1t is
rendered necessary by Germany's fail
ure to pay.
The senate finance committee has
demanded that the budget be balanced
by taxes. This means a bitter con-
flict, inasmuch as no Parliament ever
has voted so many taxes as this. Our
budget, less than five billions in 1913
is now, in 1923, more than twenty
four billions. Our taxes now total
twenty billions and will be more than
twenty-three if the new taxes are
voted. This Parliament alone has
voted ever nine and a half billion of
new levies. ..
We dedicate these figures to those
Americans who think France is not
taxed. A five hundred per cent in
crease OF this sort, shows shat we
the COnquering nation, have received
nothing from Germany. 1t is with our
own resources that we are reconstruct
ing our country and are paying our
military pensions.
Mean Confession OF Failure.
1t cannot conceal, nevertheless that
the majority of the deputies are rest
less over the heavy taxation, not only
because they must seek reelection
thirteen months from now, but for
three years they have been promising
that Germany would be forced to pay.
The next taxes mean a public confess
sion to the utter sterility of the poll
cies of the last three years and the
Lnanswerable condemnation of the
government.
1t will include condemnation of the
chamber which has tirelessly accorded
confidence TO these governments. The
disappointment and uneasineSs just
described is increased by the fact
that this financial crisis comedies
with the Ruhr occupation. Everybody
agrees that patience, above all things
else is necessary in this struggle with
German Obstinacy, but nevertheless
many hoped without expressly saying
it, that by some miracle, the coal of
the Ruhr would be converted into
gold. Those who like myself. saw
the grave difficulties and the unlike
lihOOd of any financial benefit. were
cOldly received when we pointed out
what to expect. Now there is n dis
agreeable awakening everywhere and
the result will be evident in the COM
ing debate.
Deputies in every land are men
after all. The French deputies in
the majority are moderate and are
inclined to fear that if they vote Il
new and unpopular tax law. the gov
eminent will not stand back of them
and defend them from their political
adversaries in the coming election
when they are charged with voting
too heavy taxes. Hence. on the eve
of the debate. there is much uneasi-
ness and however great may be the
present chambers fiscal cOurage-and
it was shown in 1920-there is 10
doubt the discussion opens under the
worst auspices.
Wants Finances Understood.
You may be surprised that with
all of the existing International COM
Dlications. am writing on the
budget. Bit ] do so Intentionally.
and for the reasons. For the last
four years internal economic cOnii-
tiOns. and especially the budget pol
icy, has been the main influence on
the foreign policies Of all nations
In addition orr mutual knowledge Of
each others internal and budgetary
affairs. is terribly insufficient.
Consequently we often misundcr-
stand each others plans. Our foreign
policies are moulded from our in.
ternm DEVELOPMENTS as much as any
thing else. Moreover. both East and
West the situation remains un-
changed. Nobody can say what is go
ing to happen. We will wait and see
with that calm and patience re-
qiurcd.
In the present unstable condition
| Of Europe any prophecy is sure to
be wrong. Bonar Laws speech was
only 4 confession of Great Britain's
hcsitascy about the future. Moreover
our English friends are scarcely en-
titled TO lecture us about isolated ar-
| ton now inHsmuch rs it was their
! very refusal 10 practice that sOlidar-
| ity which treaties prescribe that has
| driven us TO our present course of ac-
| tion. Every crime carries its own nun