A telegram published in the papers of last Saturday stated
that the native rulers of India were about to offer a con- tribution to the Navy of three Dreadnoughts and nine cruisers. Such a contribution would, of course, be impos- sible, not to say undesirable, as the revenue of the native States could not bear the expense. But we sincerely hope it may be true that the native chiefs are contemplating a contri- bution within reason. Of course, it would be enthusiastically received in this country. If they should offer something we shall have been brought a step nearer to the revival of an Indian Navy, which is a most desirable thing. We provide military defence for India, and there is every reason in the world why she should also have naval defence. It would not be a practical plan for the Government of India to do nothing if the Indian chiefs made a contribution. There should be a conference between the Government of India and the chiefs, so that a workable plan might be thought out. The Govern- ment could pay, for instance, for the upkeep of the chiefs' ships. The principle in India would have to be the same as in the Dominions, that local contributions are to provide an extra margin of safety in Imperial defence, not to relieve British taxpayers of a part of their regular burden.
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