Page
FINANCIAL DEBATE IN
COMMONS:
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TE, 1919.
MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL'S
THE
Li
“THERE IS NO REASON FOR PANIC":
NEW TAXATION NOT PROBABLE:"
DRASTIC REDUCTIONS IN THE ARMY AND NAVY:
BRITAIN LEADING THE WAY IN
DISARMAMENT:-
INCREASED PRODUCTION THE TRUEST ECONOMY.
BARLIER CABLES
[TEROLAH KRUTÉH'S AGENCY.]
BRITAIN'S FINANCES,
IMPORTANT DEBATE IN THE
COMMONS
LONDON, October 29th. Greas public interest was evinced in the debate begun in the House of Commons, this afternoon, un the question of antional expenditure.
THE GOVERNMENT» MOTION.
Mr. Austen Chamberlain opened the de- bate by proposing the Government motion/ "That the House, realising the serious effects upon trade and industry of the enormous financial burdens resulting from the war, promises hearty support to the Government in all reasonable pro-
pusals, however drastic, for the reduction of expenditure and the diminution of debt."
NO REASON FOR PANIC.
|
DRASTIC, REDUCTIONS IN ARMY AND NAVY.
AUSTRALIA'S FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
COSTLIEST WAR IN WORLD'S HISTORY.
LIQUIDATION OF DERT IN BO YEARS.
MR BONAR LAW'S SPEECH. THE RULE OF. THE ROAD. SPEECH.
The provision for the liquidation of our Mr. Bonar Law, winding up the debate, Mr. Churchill stated that owing to the debt in 30 years was one of the most magni- referred to the amount due from Ger
PEDESTRIAN COURTESY reduced Armies of Occupation, Germany's Scent propositions concerning internas many for the upkeep of the Army of
..../NY G. *. STREET,} indebtedness had been reduced totional liability ever advanced. It would Uccupation. He said that this first I can do nothing to avert the bank. £48,000,000. The amount would not be respund throughout the world. It was instalment of Germany's debt would unruptcy and starvation with which, received this year, although Germany had testimony to British courage and fore-Boubtedly be obtained. As regards our according to all too expert authority, my,“ paid about £1,000,000 in currency for the sight
£8,000,000,000 'debt, certain items should unhappy country threatened. I cannot" use of the troops in Cologne.
be set of against it. The Allies owed us solve the Irish Question. But I can do over £1,700,000,000: Mr. Lloyd George said that his critics £42.000.000. The latter debt was set off a nuisance which afflicts my fellow We owed America, something in my small way to mitigate The Dominions owed the War Office only the caocuous expenditure, by the debts of the Allies to us. £50,000,000 in connection with the main-therefore the elementary facts of the Dominions ewed us £200,000.000, and India possible until we are ruined and starved
Then the citizens
We may as well be as comfortable as tenance of troope in the field during the situation must be re-emphasised. Thare £22.000.000, bringing down the debt to and we ought to keep for those terrible War. He now anticipated that owing to had been the costliest war' in the world. | £7,000,000,000. Furthermore, he did not emergencies all the nervous energy we hnencial difficulties in Australia, be history" entailing an enormous debt of think that Russia would always be a bad have and not to dissipate it in unneces
sary irritations. would receive only £15,000,000 out of the £9,000,000,000, for which interest must-
debt. As regarda German indemnity, be £35,000,000 which he had budgeted, but be paid. A sinking fund had been pro siderable sum to reduce our debt.
was confident that we would get a con- the other £20,000,000 was a good debt onvided.. which the Dominion would be paying in- terust-
THE WAR OFFICE. DEFICIT,
Mr. Churchill pointed out that 87,000,000 out of the £118,000,000, which
SIR DONALD MACLEAN RULED
UUT OF ORDER
PENSIONS FOR EX-SOLDIERS. Because the Government was faced with
Sir Donald Maclean asked permission this annual charge of £100,000,000 they
to move an amendment to the "Labour were charged with extravagance, Fur amendment The Speaker ruled him out thermore, responding to pressure from of order. members. Mr. Lloyd George said that the Cavernment established pensions amount. ing to £130,000,000 annually and not a
challenged.
LIBERALS SUPPORT THE GOVERN-
MENT
1
Now one of those irritations, and co extremely annoying oue, is that, we ag always getting in one another's way. Here in London there are myriads of people all day long in the principal. streets. jostling against one another,. scowling at one another, saying, "sorry" in angry tones, stopping in front of one, another, uncertain which is to give way" slower walkers going the same way, and or it which direction, striving to pass dodging from side to side of them in the
vain effort.
Mr. Chamberlain proceeded to announce had not been budgeted as the War Office drastic and immediate Army and Navy deficit, constituted deferred payment. The reductions, namely, the Home forces by remaining £51,000.000 were accounted for 1,000, the Rhine Army by 116,000, the by the increased pay of the Army, the Army in France and Flanders by 130,000milway strike, the rupee 'exchange, and single penny of this £320,000,000. had been he and his colleagues were unable to vote body doesn't know it-obviously.
small, unanticipated delays in demobil-
in the Black Sea by 6,000, in Egypt and Palestine by 29,500, and in Mesopotamination. by 7,000 These" réductions "would be effective on November 15th., while, on December 1st., the Army in Mesopotamia would have been reduced by $1,000, in- cluding Indians.
LATEST CABLES.
BRITAIN LEADING WAY IN DISARMAMENT.
+
THE PROGRESS OF DEMOBILISATION.
the Rhire, but by November 13th. there At present there were 80,000 troops on
would be $5,000, which would immediately afterwards be reduced by 12,000. Fourteen thousand troops were necessary for,garzi-
The naval reductions included the placing Cologne and 18,000 for plebis ing of five battleships of the Home Fleet to special reserve and one for sale. There had been large cancellations of ships then in the course of construction, showing
saving of £18,000,000. The permanent personnel of the Navy would be reduced by 10.000. All this showed that Britain Was leading the way in disarmament among the nations of the world,"
CAPITAL, LEVY DINGENCED.
debt.
eitory division under the Treaty. These would remain for 6 or 7 months, We were guarding 198,000 Germans in France. We were dispersing, as fast as possible, 100,000 Chinese native labourers.
THE RUSSIAN SITUATION. Concluding. Mr. Churchill optimistic." ally reviewed the situation in Russia, General Denikin had now gaized enormous territory including the richest part of itustin, with a population of 40,000,000.
·BRITISH ARMY ALL OVER THE WORLD.
There had been exceptional, charges abnormal difficulties. during the current -year owing to
been more scattered throughout the world The. Army bad
than any other army.
.
And all the time there existe a simple rule which should make most of this un- pleasantness quite needles, and which Sir Donald consequently regretted that everybody ought to know. Only every
The rule was established about 150 years against the Government because they ago. Before that time our amiable ances- eculd not
enter the lobby with the tors gave or took the wall. You walked before a capital levy was decided upon, Labourites unless an enquiry was held along by the wall until you met another man who seemed to be your superior, or when, for reasons of prudente, you affect- The minority in the division was thused to regard as your superior; then you almost exclusively Labourites.
GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION
made way for him. If you did not make way, and he took a different view frum yours of his relative importance, he quar- relled with you; very often he fought you; innumerable duels arose from this ouse of dispute.
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. UNABLE TO PULICE THE WORLD.
The Labour amendment was rejected by Replying to a query. be said 405 yotes to 50. The Government resolu- that they had evacuated Armeniation was then passed unanimously, to economise. They were unable to palice the world, and honestly thought THE SCAPA FLOW INCIDENT, don his old mother wrote that the other Powers ought to share the responsibility. (Cheers.)
"FOR NOT DEMOBILISING QUICKER:" Then the Government was criticised
grounds that the Government knew for not demobilising quicker, on the
BRITAIN ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY 7
PARIA, October 21st.
TAMING THE WALK.” "There is
passage in Boswell's Juhnson" relating to this. · After Dr. Johnson had lived a little while, in Lon- him inquir ing if he took or gave.the wall. But by that time, the passage relates (and this fixes the date), the convenient rule of the pavement had been established
The rule is simply the opposite of that of the road in this country-that you
slower walkers you should pass on their keep to the right. Walker in the op- pusite direction should pass on the left. on yours and theirs; if you overtake left and your right.
It has nothing to do with the wall an such. If the wall is on your right, you stick to it; if it is on your left, you keep to the opposite side of the pavement from Wonen who think that they are entitled to the inside of the pavement are a nuis ance. Of course a polite man will break the rule to avoid making a woman-or an old man or a cripple-step into the gutter, but that is the only exception.
Surely the rule is simple enough. You always knew it? Then do go and tell other
people; I
you they The other day I was walking by the wall. I should, because it was on my right. A fellow met me, also walking by the wall. in which he was wrong. we jostled together for a moment, thought he would make way; he did not;
responsibility for the destruction of the It is understood that, at the Supreme Council, Britain accepted the principle of
Mr. Chamberlain said that," while
that Germany would sign. On the German Flect in the Scapa Flow, and is the position disclosed in the re. Mr. Chamberlain proceeded to deal General Denikin had taken $70,000 prison know till the last minute that Germany loss of her share of the warships
contrary, the Conference did not willing to guarantee France against the cent White Paper was grave, there with the various proposals to reduceers since May. His army was composed Was no reason for panic. (Cheer) the national
The Council has decided that respons would sign, and then she only signed He denounced a of between 300,000 and 400,000 well-organbechase she knew that Britain-bad-mihil.ty for the sabotage falis on the Gersite And it has nothing to do with-sex- Hysterie whe nor strength. More general capital levy because it would be ised men.
Trade was beginning, and tained a number of reserve divisions in over, the situation to-day was better unfair, would encourage extravagance, railways were starting, with every hope France, ready for this eventuality,
man Government, and not on individual ufficers. than be bad anticipated in August." Tax deter saving and would be detrimental' that
this territory would escape the which Maranal Foch was prepared to revenues were coming in extraordinarily to the influx of foreign capital.
privations of the rest of Russia.. '' well, while the Customs and Excise were
march to Berlin.
now estimated to yield. £38,000,000 above If a capital levy was once intro- the Budget estimate. The tes and to- duced for B good purpose, the barco Budget estimates would also be public would feel that there was exceeded, respectively, by £4,000,000 and no security against its introduction
for other purposes. The question of a anti-Bolsheviks. special levy, accumulated by reason of
£14,000,000.
NO REASON FOR NEW TAXATION. This WEUSI important, a it whe elegant of the spending power of the people, which was a great factor alike in social stability and revenue prodae tion. Indeed, no longer was the thought of new taxation required to balance the incomings and outgoings.
QRITICISMS OF EXTRAVAGANCE,
SPECIAL LEVY ON A DIFFERENT FOOTING.
the war, stood on a different footing,
SELECT COMMITTEE TO EX
APPOINTED.
THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST BOLSHEVISM. In March, when serious fighting began, there were 430,000 Bolshevik troops and 390,000 anti-Bolsheviks. BV September there were 460,000 Bolsheviks and 640,000
(Cheers.)
General
Denikin had been advised that we expect ed his forces to become self-supporting by the end of the present francial year.
BRITAIN'S GIFT TO DENIKIN.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet had approved final contribution to General Denikin
which would be despatched gradually due of surplus stores valued at £15,000,000
DEFEAT INSTEAD DY DEFICIT,
Without this undemobilised force,
should have substituted de" feat for deficit (Cheers) and have
thrown away all the most terrible acti-
fices of our brave men to make our ac
counts balance in 1910.
BRITAIN NEED NOT YEAR COMPARISON..
EARLIER CABLES.
WAR SALVAGE.
don't. COSTING BRITAIN £337,000
WEEKLY.
LONDON, October 25th. In the House of Commons, replying to Major Glyn, Mr. Forster'stated that the number at present employed upon sal vage work in the war areas were British labour troops and other details, $1,000; Chinese and other coloured labour,
Any Government doing this would have deserved impeachment, and would have undoubtedly bad it. Owing to the way 45,000.
He did not dispute the equity of the abstract principle of such a tax, but the difficulties were immense. However, a Belcet Committee would be appointed to
dificulties, Britain need not fear com was estimated at £7,000, including we had of dealing with car financial The weekly cost of salvage operations advise the Government in this coppering the winter... Hence we were approach rarison with any country throughout the transportation to the United Kingdom,
tion.
A SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS IN 1920. Mr. Chamberlain concluded by pro-
would be available in 1920 for the reduc phesying that a substantial surplus tion of debt without additional taxation
Dealing with the various criticians of! extravagance, be pointed out that the war, expenditure continued right up to "the signature of the German Treaty owing
to the uncertainty as to whether Germany or borrowing. Our burdens were heavy would sign. He declared that po single but our shoulders were broad and there feature in the world situation at present was every reason for caution but none placed a heavier strain on Britain in!
for panic. (Cheers,) men and money than the fact that peace with Turkey had not yet been signed, pending America's decision whether he would share the "White Man's burden."
THE LABOUR AMENDMENT. The debate was continued by Mr. J. F. Clynes moving an amendment declaring that the present national war expendi ture was unjustifiable, urging drastic economy, advocating a levy on capital and the reversion to the State of war fortunes, for the purpose of reducing the national debt. He remarked that the worse the financial condition, the more ADMINISTILATIVE EXPENDITURI DENOUNCED, cheerful was the Chancellor, The Labour Replying to denunciations of adminis Party contended that the financial situa irative expenditure, he declared that iftion was so extraordinary ag to call for
ITALY'S AND FRANCE'S DISTA Dealing with the increase of expendi ture over the Budget estimate, Mr. Chamberlain mentioned that Italy and France were owing us much more than anticipated.
the whole organisations created by the extraordinary measures.
war 'were swept away, and the staffs of all the Departments returned to their pre-war xalaries; only £22,000,000 would be saved.
17
-UNEMPLOYMENT DONATION TO CRABE,
THE MANDATED TERRITORIES
Mr. Clynes urged an enquiry on the question of a capital levy.
Lord Robert Cecil supported, and asked what allowances had been made for the The House cheered the announcements. He was very doubtful whether any expenses involved by the British man that the unemployment donation would of the territories mandated to Britain
would pay their expenses for many years) to come.
-cense-on-November-Yist:
CANNOT TERMINATE BREAD SUBSIDY.
ing the end of our own entanglement in Russia in a way which was securing the same objects as those of the anti-Bol shevika
41
ܼܝ
BRITAIN PRACTICES WHAT SHE PREACHTE.
vold
THE MOST MAGNIFICENT FAGT.”
Conscription in Germany had gone, her Navy was at the bottom of the sea. This was the most magnificent fact that
The War Office and the Ministry of Munitions were closely considering the question of how much longer the work would be continued:
...
E
"I beg your pardon," said I instine- tively, though I was in the right.
Granted," said he, who was in the
wrong.
This annoyed me, and "Granted be hanged! It was your fault," "aid I. But such painful incidents would not happen if we all knew the ruld
DREYFUS RECEIVES LEGION OF HONOUR.. AMENDE TO A MAN ONCR HOUNDED AS A SUPREME
TRAITOR
Franco made the greatest amende in her power on September 12th. to the man sße
gave grounds for confidence in the Sinan FAR EASTERN CABLE try age at the traitor of the age-
of militarism.
He hoped that he would not be socused
and pessimiam need not be identical, He pointed out that cial stability of the future. Patriotism
Britain could weather this storm as she had weathered every other. Nevertheless, he hoped that the economisers would not. deny moneys on objects essential for national life like education, for the war Hally demonstrated the value of technical education.
and
NEWS.
14
[BY COURTESY OF THE CHINA MAIL."]
** FAZILKA "*
A TOTAL LOSS.
Britain alone, among the nations of the world, had taken steps which would short ly abolish conscription. She was the only country in Europe which practised what she preached, and translated the senti- ments of the League into a great and swift policy of disarmament. (Cheere); THE PREMIER'S STRIKING REPLY
Mr. Lloyd George, replying to the CERASED PRODUCTION THE TRUEST EDUKOMY debate, expressed the opinion that the Concluding, Mr. Lloyd George urged out of the case for the critica. Heproduction. The depreciation of the Chancellor bad knocked the bottom that the truest economy was increased to avoid a large rock. emphasised their disagreements aɛ regards sovereign was at present a very heavy tax, where to retrench.
THE GREATEST EXPENDITURE,
He said that the greatest expenditure, was in the Army and Nary. He pointed out that the Navy at present was only the pre-war Navy, It would be lees at the end of the financial year,
REDUCTIONS, IN PERSONNEL. Continuing, he gave details as regafda Army, the Navy and the Air Service by the reduction in the personnel of the
February. The forecast for March 31st. was for 825,000 men, Actually there would bo only 300,000, He asked, was this
As regards the bread mubaidy, the Mr. Chamberlain, interrupting, was nothing! Next year there would be a minate it immediately.
I debt.
The only remedy was production, which could be got only by co-operation of a contented people- It was the greatest
SINGAPORE, Noyember 4th. It is now.. confirmed that the Fazilka "id a total loss on the Nicobars. The second officer was in charge at the time of the grounding. Ha averted a bigger disaster by altering the course in order
DUOKED HIS HEAD!
"You'll find yer bath in the outhouse." Thus had Panythe been directed over-
Alfred Dreyfus,
Dreyfus, then a captain, was sentericed
to life
Decembrisonment on Devil's Island on
23rd, 1894, following his con ction by court-martial of a charge of selling military secrets to Germany.
Dreyfus, now a lieutenant-colonel, was 12th. as an officer
decorated on Burin recognition of
**
of the legion of his services in the war.
For years the Dreyfus chee split virtually the entire civilized world into two camps, one faction stoutly asserting belief in his innocence, the other as firmly convinced of his guilt. Countiene novels and plays
were
on his
and wing the
confession of Colonel Henry that he had forged some of the evidence against Dreyfus) a new trial was ordered on June 3rd, 1990, Dreyfus wan again canvicted on September 8th. of thak year and sentenced to ten years imprison-
meetings the world and petitions for- warded to the French
de- Acced- public opinion. President Loubet pardon- to this overwhelming expression of
tondignation
manding the release of
were
Hel
folly to urge the cessation of expenditure night at the "Pink Pig," and that is upon the health, comforts and training of why he was now, in his dressing-gown the people who had been prepared to pushing open the outhouse door. It wased Drovfus. The Supreme Court of Cas sucrifice their lives on the battlefields dark; but there was the tub, right enough, sation later found Draylus inaccent of and it would do. He hopped in the charges against him and be re-entered for the country they loved. (Cheers).
SCENES IN THE HOUSE.
•
The House cheered for several minutes
In the middle of his ablutions the red
Esced landlord thrust bend
the
the army, with full citizenship restores. door. In the dim light he ta in at the Worn put by five years on. Davila is Dreyfus resigned after two years, the conclusion of the Premier's speech, observed Panythe: but it'e a triler of an artillery section stationed and entered the reserves. When the war be man in the tub,
Water's quite nicely warm, thanks" broke out he was made a major and giver. When Commander Kenworthy and Mr.Muddy!" yoared the landlord, burst-Marne, Dreyfus and his bettalion
In the arst battle of the Holmes rose to continue the debate theying in suddenly. Your tub's in the were greeted with cries of "Divide.”~
next placol Git out of it, you idiot! Not a word of this in the ouse, mind--- The Houso emptied when Mr. Holmes not a word of this in the ouse That's
Then Pamythe, who had fed on Govero- briefly, chiefly urging & capital levy, ment ala for mentha, ducked his head 1,
action
Kluck'
and aided in forcing Vo retirement After the German retirement Dreyfu duties were largely in the nature of art
Dreyfus's son, Mathin, entered As a gunner and won his com
Government" thought it impossible to ter- understood to say that Palestine was pay-mbstantial surplus for the roduction of aid a low other Radicala spoke very By 'ome-brewed ala you're a-washin' in "lory instruction and research, work
ing its way.