Mr. Boner Law gave the House on Tuesday the figures
of the cost of the war. The totals are so colossal that few can hope to realize their meaning. Mr. Bones Law was asking the House for a Vote of Credit for £650,000,000—the largest ever proposed. This Vote would bring the total war votes to £5,292,000,000, or over seven times our National Debt before the war began. We shall have spent by August 4th next, the third anniversary of the war, £4,642,000,000. Out of this, we have lent £1,025,000,000 to our Allies, and £146,000,000 to the Dominions, leaving a net British expenditure of £3,471,000,000. Since May 9th we have Spent on an average £6,795,000 every day, or £1,384,000 over the tentative Budget estimate. The excess has been due to the increased output of munitions, to large purchases of foodstuffs, and, partly, to the unexpectedly light casualties in France, which have left us with more men to pay and feed than seemed possible before the spring offensive began. Such a reason for an excess of expenditure is truly gratifying. Mr. Boner Law reminded the House that America is now drawing upon her illimitable resources for the support of the Attica.
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