We may note further that what Mr. Asquith terms the
question of Imperial naval defence "in regard to the interests of the self-governing dominions " cannot be discussed adequately and fully unless some decision is come to as to what India and the Crown Colonies are prepared to do in the way of co-operating with the self-governing Dominions. One of the first things which we should imagine the Colonial Premiers will ask when the problem of, say, sea-power in the Pacific and the Indian Ocean comes on for consideration is :— " How far are India and the Crown Colonies ready to meet us in the provision of naval defence P If we are prepared to do our duty at our end of the Asian waters, is India prepared to do her duty at the other end, with Ceylon, Singapore, Malay, and Hong Kong as links in the chain ?" We cannot go into the matter fully now, but in our opinion it will be nothing short of a disaster if the question of the co-operation of India and the Crown Colonies in the work of naval defence is not frankly and fully discussed at the Imperial Conference.
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