Evening star., 1925-04-26
HOUGHTON IS HELD
Of VALUE IN OFFICE
Experiences in Berlin De,
CIared to Have Added to
Worth in Britain,
BY 4. G.. GARDINER.
10 to The Star.


Ey Radio TO The Star.
LONDON, April 25.-Spring has
come with the swallow and the cuckoo
from the South, and arrivals and an
ticipations fill the public mind.
Alanson b. Houghton, the new
American Ambassador, has arrived
from across the Atlantic and the Earl
of Reading, Viceroy of India, has come
home from the East. The King and
Queen have reached Paris on their
return from the Mediterranean and
the Roosevelt brothers are here en-
route on their great journey. The two
brothers were among the friends who
welcomed Lord Reading on his arri
val.
Served Well In India.
The viceroy emphatically disposed
of the rumor that he had no inten-
tion of returning to India. He has
come home to discuss the Indian situa-
tion and he plans to return in the
summer. This is regarded as emf
nently satisfactory. Lord Readings
Oriental attitude has done good serv-
ice in India and the opinion prevails
that the situation there is improving.
The declaration of DaS denouncing
violence and advocating a policy of
Indian cooperation with the govern
ment has created an excellent i'm
preston, and Lord Readings intiu-
ence with Lord Birkenhead, who now
is Indian secretary. will certainly be
directed to welcome this new atti-
tude in most cordial and practical
ways.
.M;. HouGhton had no difficulty
with the Swarms of correspondents
who greeted him. The English varie-
lril
defeated than the American variety,
and all they extracted from the new
Amba ssador was harmless urbani-
ties.
Houghton Held Valuable.
In informed circles opinion in re-
gard to Mr.. Houghton is most favor
able. He has a much more intimate
acquaintance with the European
situation than any of his recent
predecessors, and his experiences in
Berlin give him important value in
view of the great problems which
await discussion.
These problems cannot fail to be
profoundly affected by the election of
the president of the German republic.
Official German opinion here is greatly
perpleXed in regard to the result. 1t
is agreed that the vote is likely to he
close, though the writer hears that
odds of three to one on DR.. Marx are
being given and taken in London. But
Gen. Won Hindenburg'S chances have
certainly improved with the revela-
tion of the extraordinary personal en-
thusiaSm he arouses.
In British official circles, the opin-
ion is held that Hindenburg's election
would have no important practical eff
fectS. but that it would have unfavor
able rea ctionS in France. where the
new government craft already is in
rough water. The feeling prevails
that the presence of a Jonah on board
the ship in the person of Joseph Gail
lauX, does not promise q long voyage.
Looking TO Budget.
Main interest here is focused on
Chancellor Winston Churchill. who
will produce his first budget next
Tuesday. No event of the kind for
years has aroused so much interest.
Extraordinary pressure has been
brought to bear by financial and trad
ing interests to induce the chancellor
to relieve the heavy burden of the in
come tax on the ground that such re-
lief is necessary to lift the depression
in industry. But estimates of eXpendi-
lures leave no visible surplus out Of
which to reduce taxation.
Nevertheless, the expectation is
seitidl Ildl MI. NHuithlIl Will make
a substantial cut at the income tax,
possibly funding war pensions in or
der 10 do 50. This method of pass
ing the buck on to posterity is not
approved by rigid economists, but
poSterity is not represented in the
House of Commons or at the polling
booth
The alternative view is that Mr.
Churchill will make a reduction in
the tax and. having proved the treas
ury cannot meet it, will then make
a formidable attack on the spending
departments, urging 4 reduction in
military charges as the only means
of keeping taxes within bearable
limits.
Copyright. 1925