St. John's Daily Star, 1917-08-14

              The St. John's Daily Star Newfoundland Volume iil ($3.00 per Annum)! TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1917. (Price: One Cent.) No. 185. Violent Artillery Actions in The West Indicate The Approach Of Offensive MAY FOREGO VOTING ON REINTRODUCED MEASURE R. B. Job Indicates Way Out Of Present Legislative Mix-up THINKS BILL TOO HASTILY CONCEIVED ALTHO ITS OBJECCT IS REASONABLE By ROBERT B. JOB ALTHO admittedly one that would (or shall I say will?) be considerably affected by the imposition of a soca!!ed Business Profits Tax, and as such by no means an unbiased critic I nevertheless am, as everyone in business and out of business in this Colony, J5. very deeply interested in seeing a reasonable settlement of the present unfortunate position.- That the Legislative Councillors made a serious blunder in their tactics, not in rejecting the Bill in Committee but in nearly rejecting it at the second reading, is I fear probable, as it appears to have given the Government \y idea that W'tter Street is opposed to any sort of taxation which affects them and in their anger, I fear, the members of the Executive became blinded to the true interests of the Country and abandoned the policy of tactfulness which any successful Executive must follow in delicate matters of this sort. Their failure even to consult or to consider the representations of the few parties really likely to be very deeply interested in the taxation proposed, was surely most unwise and was presumably the result of their annoyance at the apparent but, I believe, unintentional purpose of those who by voting against the Bill on its second reading so nearly placed the majority of Councillors on record as opposing the principle of taxation of profits. Spewing broadly from my knowledge of and conversations with the larger firms on Water Street, I don't believe there is one of them that would grudge the payment of $10,000, $20,000—0r even $30,000—from their nett revenues for this purpose and I further wish to place myself oh record as honestly believing that the amount of the tax as it would effect the majority of those who rejected the Bill did not enter into their thoughts and that had they only this question of amount to consider the Bill would have been passed. They certainly showed great courage in rejecting it with the certainty in view that it would be reintroduced and forced through in some form and that in all likelihood it would then bear more onerously upon themselves and the busi ness community generally. Their undoubted knowledge of this position is the best proof that in rejecting it they were standing for a principle (and in this case a vitally important principle to a business community) and were not as has unfortunately in the heat of the discussion both in the majority of the newspapers and elsewhere been represented (or misrepresented) fighting for their own selfish ends. To take a broad view of the position, I for one don't believe that even in the rejected form the amounts payable by those whom the passing of the Bill would affect, would have borne unreason ably*4rarsh_sr but the - fa_hfre to a_* low any ordinary interest Capital prior to arriving at the amount to be taxed is a violation of an extremely imp#>rtant principle to a business concern as it amounts to a taxation of Capital and GERMAN RAIDERS DRIVEN INTO SEA British Aviators' Engage Bomb-Droppers En Route Home and Down Two of Them. LONDON, Aug. 13.—The text of the statement issued by the British Admiralty says: One hostile airplane of the Gotha type was destroyed during the return of the raiders to the Belgian coast, and one* hostile seaplane was destroyed off the coast of Flanders at approximately the same time. A large number of naval machines engaged the other raiders over the sea without decisive result. The pilot who destroyed the Gotha and who was flying in a land machine reports he fired on and pursued an enemy airplane flying at 12,000 feet, from North Foreland to about fifteen miles off Zeebrugge where he lost the hostile aircraft. Returning to the mouth of the Thames he observed anti-aircraft fire bursting in the vicinity of Southend. He flew in that direction, climbing. He then observed eight Gotha airplanes followed by four British machines steering northeast. The enemy machines were about 2,000 feet above him when he got beneath them. He pursued, climbing to 18,000 feet and attacked without result when about thirty miles seaward. At this moment he saw a single hostile machine 4,000 feet below the enemy formation, but flying with it. He attacked it from the front and drove the enemy into the water where he observed him turn over and saw one of the occupants hanging to the tail. He thereupon threw in his lifebelts, and did two or three circuits arotind him before returning to A&&%-land. While returning he endeavored to communicate the position of the hostile machine to British destroyers. Boston An Open Port Boston, Aug. 13.—The orders closing this port between sunset and sunrise were revoked to-day by the navy department, it was announced by port officials. MODERN VERSION OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND THE SACRIFICIAL RAM.—New York Tribune. FERDIE INTERVIEWED. Declares His Country Is Well Mated For War or Peace. Berlin, Aug. 13.—1n the course of an interview with a Stuttgart editor, King Ferdinand, of Bulgaria, who has been visiting the King of Wurtemburg, *sftid, he btfiievedthe tiesires for expansion would continue to assert themselves in liberated Russia, and also that the smallest states must constantly be on their guard. The economic future of his own country, the Bulgarian King said, was dependent upon close association with Germany and Austria Hungary, which countries would prove ready markets for Bulgaria's agricultural products. GERMANS REJOICE. Glad British Delegates Will Attend Stockholm Conference. London, Aug. 13.—Commenting on the decision of the British Labor conference to send delegates to the Socialist meeting at Stockholm, Vorwarts organ of Bef!m~ says, according to a despatch: "We hope when the delegates arrive that they will understand their mission in quite a different spirit from that indicated by Henderson. They must understand that it is impossible for them to preach a continuation of the war. By giving the German minority Socialists additional evidence against the German Government one single discussion with the Germans will show the English how naive they are. This is an advance we hope for from the coming discussion, therefore, we rejoice in this step forward. It cannot remain the only step." PACIFISTS BUSY IN BRITAIN AGAIN Ramsay MacDenald and His Socialist Clique Hold a Big Peace Demonstration. GLASGOW, Aug. 13.—Pacifists in this city held a large open air demonstration yesterday to protest against the authorities' ban on the conference convened by so-called workers' and soldiers' council, which is an off-shool of the Pacifists' Independent Labor Party. James Ramsay Mac Donald, Socialist Labor Member of Parliament, was received with cheers and waving of red flags when he arose to address the meeting. He said, we are called enemies of the soldiers, but in reality we are their greatest friends. Our enemies have tried to bamboozle the labor movement and prevent our delegates from going to Stockholm. They got their answer, and that answer was not for peace .at any price but peace at democratic price that would settle the problem of Europe for ever and never call upon our women again to give up their children to death. NO PASSPORTS. Government Reveals Its Attitude Toward Stockholm Conference. London, Aug. 13.—The first hint of the Government's attitude regarding the granting of passports to delegates to the Stockholm conference was given during question time in the Commons to-day, when A. J. Balfour, British Foreign Minister, in reply to a question asked by Joseph King, said, "No passports had. been granted to delegates to the Irish Trade Union Congress to attend the Stockholm conference, and none would be granted if applied for." JAP MISSION IN AMERICA Headed By Baron Ishi, Special Ambassador, Body of Jap Diplomats Lands at U. S. Pacific Port TO TRY TO SETTLE NAVAL PROBLEMS A Pacific Port, Aug. 13.—The Japanese mission to the United States! arrived here today headed by Viscount Isni, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and was received by a state department representation and city officials. Official announcement says that the mission is only for the purpose of paying Japan's respects to America and expressing thanks for the United States joining the Allies. It is generally understood, however, that problems of naval co-operation in the Pacific will be discussed. It is even hinted in some quarters that diplomatic, issues between Japan and the United States will receive attention. Included in this list is the question of Germany's former possessions in the South Pacific, now occupied by Japan. Japan having heard thai certain American opinions were opposed to Japan retaining the islands, vvanis to reach an agreement on the subject. Sentiment in Japan .holds that Viscount Ishi is eminently fitted to confer with the American onSe Is T Viscount was Foreign Minister in the Okuca cabinet, has been Ambassador to Paris, and once held the position of counsellor at Japan's former legation in Washington. He is well acquainted with affairs in America. He conducted an investigation at the time of the San Francisco school trouble. Vice-Admiral Isamu Takeshitat member of the mission, was formerly A GREAT GULF FIXED /T is planned to convene the Legislature in Extraordinary Session within a very few days. The business before the members of both Houses will consist practically only of a reconsideration of the Business Profits Tax Bill, thrown out by the Legislative Council at the Session just closed. As The Star pointed out a couple of days ago, the action of the Councillors made this procedure necessary, seeing that defeated legislation cannot be reintroduced at the same Session as that at which it was voted out, but must be reintroduced at some subsequent Session of the Legislature. The new Session will be convened in compliance with this constitutional rule. There is scarcely any possibility whatever of opposition to the Business Profits Tax Bill developing in the Assembly Chamber, no matter in what form it may be reintroduced. The provisions of the Bill will be agreed upon in Party Caucus; there is no Opposition to the Administration now in the Lower House and what passes at the prefonmary conferences of the Government will, of course, receive formalenendorsation on the floors of the House. Remains, then, to be considered the probable action of  Legislative Council on the reintroduced measure. That, of course, will very largely depend upon the form in which the Bill is returned to the Council for reconsideration. It may be taken for granted that the reintroduction of the Business Profits Tax Bill in its original form will line up against it the fame opposition as that developed at last Session and which was of sufficient strength to throw the measure out on its Third Reading. Possibly, the presentation of an amended Bill to the Legislative Council would result in the passage of the measure by that body at the ensuing Extraordinary Session. What are the chances of the Government agreeing to' present the Bill in an amended form? The Star is forced to the conclusion that there is every possibility of the Government insisting on the measure passing in its original form. We are of opinion that, immediately after the defeat of the Bill in the Upper House, the Ministry were inclined to make an effort to arrange a compromise which would ensure the Country the financial benefits of the taxatio4 of profits and which would yet take into consideration the objections of the business men, in part at least. Such a development, we fear, is now totally improbable. It has, we are regretfully forced to conclude, been rendered impossible of realisation by the terms of the statement of their case, made by the members of the Legislative Council in the City newspapers on Saturday last. • Of course the business men had every right to attempt to exonerate themselves of the severe charges made against them; it was but natural that they should an effort to show that they were actuated more by care for the general commercial interest of the Country than by zeal for the preservation intact of their own particular business profits. The privilege of freedom of speech is the possession of every British citizen of every class. But we greatly fear that zeal for justice, in this instance, greatly outran discretion. The business mens presentation of their case could hardly be regarded as placatory; as conducive to an amicable settlement of the points under dispute; or as making for a spirit of compromise between the Government and the Legislative Councillors concerned. This was a case in which diplomacy promised to gain much for the objectors to the Bill. The conduct of the business men who signed that statement could scarcely be described as diplomatic. The effect of their statement, we greatly regret to observe, has been to make wider the breach between themselves and the Government.Moreover, after the very emphatic and very definite charges made against the Government in that statement, it is scarcely to be expected that the Administration will now consent to a compromise, thus pleading guilty to the charges made against it by the business men. As a matter of fact, it is to be expected that the Bill will be reintroduced in its original form. We are prepared to give the Government credit for being sincerely of the opinion that the Bill as introduced at last Session was calculated to ensure the greatest possible financial benefits to. the general public at the least possible risk to the commerce of the Country. On the other hand, we will concede to the business men full sincerity in their statements infhe Legislative Council that, while* they favored- the principle of taxation of profits*, they yet regard* Ed the measure designed to effect that taxation as calculated to Work greaL mischief in practice. But, between these two diametrically different extremes lay the middle course of a compromise, workable measure, acceptable to both sides of the quarrel and productive of great benefit to the people. *There was, in our opinion, a possibility of that course being taken. We earnestly urged its adoption. We hoped, in the interest of general unity, to see gw advice acted upon. Now,we regret to learn, compromise has practically been abandoned. The Government refuse to have their motives and their manner of procedure impugned as unjust and as intolerant, will not consent to a course they regard as tacitly admitting an offense on their part against justice and public safety and will force through the measure practically as originally passed by the Lower House. The great gulf, then, most unfortunately, must be regarded as fixed between the Government and the business men on this measure. That bemg at present the situation, it is plain that the Government must make some arrangement to effect the passage of the Business Profits Tax Bill through the Legislative Council. J*hat arrangement, most probably, will take the form of appointments to the four seats now vacant of Councillors pledged to support the when it is reintroduced.What a pity M is that some such pronouncement as that of Mr. R. B. fob, which appears in The Star was not made hefore. An Tmimatkm that the business men would agree to the Business Profits lax Bill feeewrK ing law, provided the Government pledged itself to recdnsider this legislation after a years experiment,' would have cleared ths whole atmosphere, would have healed the breach and would have made an excellent impression on the Country generally. Now, however, both parties are at daggers drawn, the GovernmenU-are prepared to force their Bill through the Upper House and there is every appearance of a lively public quarrel, unfortunately taking on all the aspects of a class fight. This much is certain: The circumstances of the times call for the levying of a tax on surplus wealth. Whoever objects, excess profits must be yielded in some proportion to the public treasury. The general welfare is to be regarded as higher' than class interests of every kmd whatsoever and The Star trusts that this quarrel will be composed in a manner that will ensure the great. est good to the country and its military and naval forces, without giving any person or concern just cause to complain of discrim' ination or of unfair treatment. SPANISH SITUATION. Government Taking Measures to Avert General Strike. Madrid, Aug. 13—The news to-day from the provinces indicated that rail-* road trains were running under almost normal conditions, following the~strrkc of railroad employees on Friday night. Premier Dato says the GoverffiMfefcl has taken all measures to avert a general strike, which it is reported the workers wish to undertake. Quiet in Belgium. ~London, Aug. 13.—There is-noth* ing special to report irom the Franco- Belgian front, says to-day's official . (Continuued on page 2.) (Continutied on page 2.) LADIES' 54 to 58 inch COSTUME SERGE IN NAVY AND BLACK. SPLENDID VALUE. Price $2.70, 2.80, 3.00 and $3.20. ALSO  NEW DRESS CHECKS IN BLACK & WHITE, BROWN & WHITE, GREEN & WHITE, From -sc, 55c, 75c, $1.20 to $1.50 yard. Bowring Bros., Ltd.