London, Apr %4, Britain's enormous war budget has a good reception in the British press in general, according to a special commentary issued here today.
Though opinion is somewhat divided on the Purchase Tax and indirect taxes, it is fully realized that increased taxation is inevitable, and that no sacrifices cab be too heavy to win the war, The budget is variously described as "bold and realistic," "a fierce instrument of war," "hard but just," and "pre-eminently honest."
The "Manchester Guardian" goes as far as to say the budget is not drastic enough: "The budget is\less drastic than the situation warrants."
"The Times" declares: "The budget possesses the great merit of stating without concealment or softening t! truth of our financial position. The very grimness of the figures is ti proof of how strong that position is and how unflinchingly difficulties will be faced. The British people are resolute enough to face the full revelation of sacrifices which the war will entail, The sooner the Allies can put forth their full strength, the sooner victory will be achieved and the scale of national expenditure diminished."
An "Imaginative Effort"
The "Daily Telegraph" says: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon) knew he could reply upon unanimous support of the country for the bold and realistic approach to the problem of meeting the stupendous cost of a modern war, and has taken full advantage of that assurance, His tax increases were few and simple. However, the Chancellor has stepped into new fields with his "Purchase Tax,' and how it will work out in detail remains to be seen, and care will have to be taken to avoid injustices and anomalies, but it can undoubtedly yield enormous revenue. Altogether, the budget is certain to make a strong appeal to the public, as an imaginative effort to grapple with a tremendous problem.
The "Daily Herald" writes: "Prin ciple sufferers will be people with small incomes, Indirect taxes always fall the heaviest on those with the smallest resources because they are levied on articles of common consumption,"
The "News-Chronicle" asserts: "The budget is on a heroic scale. It will unquestionably -impress the world with the magnitude of the financial burden we are shouldering. The fresh taxes now imposed are no surprise though they are heavy. Sir John Simon realizes clearly that a total-italian war calls for ruthless finance."
"No Moaning and Groaning"
Washington, Apr. 24.
Rear Admiral Joseph K, Taussig, who on Monday made a statement that war between the United States and Japan was inevitable, yesterday heard his declaration branded the "most provocative and dangerous remark made by any naval man in our time" as Senator Bennet Clark, Democrat of Missouri, demanded that he face a court martial, The Commandant of the Fifth Naval District made his statement before the Senate Naval Affairs on Monday, The Navy Department, however, immediately announced that it did not share the views of Admiral Taussig, adding that he had only expressed' his own personal views, Mr, Hamilton Fish, Republican Representative of New York, yesterday charged that the statement was the most provocative ever made by a naval officer.
Senator Clark, in his demand for a court martial for Admiral Taussig, said that "Taussig's statement is the type of militaristic sword swinging has brought Japan itself into present deplorable situation.
fact that the Japanese allow naval officers to dictate their domestic policies is precisely what is responsible for all the trouble in the Far East, Taussig's remarks are a perfectly outrageous and undesirable exhibition of militarism. He should be court martialled, One year it is one thing and another year it is another," Senator Clark continued.
"Navy men always need something No matter now many ships they have it is not enough, Give them warships and they want auxiliaries, Give them auxiliaries and they claim the Navy is unbalanced and needs more warships," he continued.
Mr. Fish suggested that Congress investigate all warlike statements by naval officers. He said they "embark on a propaganda campaign every time a naval bill comes up."
"He tells us we must fortify the Philippines and Guam and become the Allies of the British and French to protect Singapore," Mr. Fish declared, The Chief of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics, Rear Admiral John Towers, again testified before the Senate Naval Affairs Committee regarding Allies purchases of American planes.—United Press.
While criticising the Purchase Tax as being "bad for the shopkeeper and trading community," the "Daily Mail" approves the various increases in indirect taxation, and states: "They will be accepted as part of further sacrifices for the war "Daily Express" says: "There will be no moaning and groaning. The public will praise Sir John Simon for his realism and pay up with good heart. Indirect taxation will send prices up, but will restrict the consumption of particular commodities which have to be imported. The new duty on tobacco will save us dollars in America, and the increased prices of matches will economize on timber supplies, but the Purchase Tax is a puzzle which Sir John Simon does: not explain.""—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.