Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-02-15
LIMOGES DEFEATING
ANY TAX REDUCTION
Churchill Has Hard Fight on
Hand With Proponents of
More Powerful Navy.
BY A. &. GARDINER.

By Radio to The Star.
LONDON. February 14,-Winstor
Churchin's troubles with the Die
Hards of the Tory party have de-
Stanley Baldwin appointed hin
chancellor of the exchequer in the
hope his formidable lighting qualities
would enable him to overawe the
spending departments and erect 9
great reduction in taxation.
Mr.. Churchill finds the only direc-
tiOn in which substantial reduction
in expenditures is possible is arma-
ments. other main items of expendi-
ture, such as interest on the public
debt, pension and educations are ir-
Teducible.
The cost of ornaments is double
that before the war and with the
German navy at the bottom of the
North Sea, public feeling regards the
present expenditure as monstrous
and indefensible.
Cry OF Jingocs.
But the die hard section of the Con-
servatiyes is incurably imperialistic
and always rallies to the defense of
military expenditure, however, eN-
travagant
GIVE US a shilling off the income
tax" is the cry of the taxpayers.
Give US 100000 pounds sterling
more for ornaments" is the cry or
the jingoes.
The new estimates of the sea lords
include demands fer eight new cruis-
ers and increased expenditures tor
other branches of the fleet involving
IN additional sum of ten millions Tor
naval expenditures alone. Ihe at
service is also ravenous Tor more
money, raising the cost OF this ne"
branch OF ornaments to hgher
level than the cost OF, the whole army
before the war.
In Hard Position
Mr.. Churchill is fighting strenu-
ously against the Admiralty and the
cabinet is divided between claims OF
economy and imperialistc frenzy. MI
ChurchilIs position is weakened. pF
the fact that he fears to follow his
fathers example in the same sltua-
tion by resigning. He has only JUS
returned to the Tory ranks and ne mas
many enemies there who would De
only too glad to compel him TO re-
sign. They hate and fear nm ana
suspect that if he remains he Will De-
come their absolute master and nc
rator of policy. Mr.. Churchill cannot
desert the Tories for the Liberals
second time and he will fight the die
harGS
chine.
In the present struggle Mr.
Churchill has succeeded in inducing
the cabinet to refer back the navy
estimates TO the admiralty, with IN
structions TO submit them on dlI-
ferent basis. The issue threatens 10
create a. sharp assure in conserFa-
two ranks between those VINO put
economy first and those who put the
navy first.
Strong Division Seen.
The final estimates should come
before parliament in the next re"
days, and it is expected that they
will reveal strong DIVISION OF leel-
ing in government ranks.
Nor is this the only case in which
Mr.. Churchill is the center OF the
storm in government ranks. Inc
ministry has announced a revival OF
the scheme for safeguarding indust-
ries in form which the Liberals anu
labor allege amounts to threat 10
set up a general tariff. The proposal
is being fiercely assailed by the OPP
position as a breach of the undertake
ing given by Mr.. Baldwin during the
late election that he would not In
troduce protection.
Free Trade Policy.
MANY free trade conservatives dl {
disquieted by the new policy, but the
bulk of the party are enthusiastic
protectionists and welcome any steps
which seem to lead in the direction
of. tablishment of general tariff.
Mr. Churchill, however is notorious
" a free trader still and although
he is prepared to play with the idea
if imperial preference, his protection
list colleagues in the cabinet and
party regard him as their most dan
gerous foe. His position at the
treasury gives him exceptional power
of obstructing development of the
government policy in the direction of
protection and the coming debates in
the House of Commons on that policy
are awaited with much interest as
disclosing the relations between Mr..
Churchill and the protectionists.
Note Brings Approval.
The latter feel that the most prom
Using opportunity of laying the
foundation of a protectionist system
is imperilled by the fact that their
most powerful debater is really en-
gagged on the other side and will
water down the policy to an innocu-
Gus degree.
Mr. Churchilrs note to France on
the subject of repayment of war debts
has evoked general approval. Even
the pro-F'rench sympathies of the
Die HardS have begun to wither
under the prolonged strain of at
tempting to extract any voluntary
scheme of repayment from the French
government. The Churchill note is
regarded as leaving the French no
loophole between reputation or pay
ing.