ANOTHER WARSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1626, 18 December 1912, Page 8

ANOTHER WARSHIP.

SULTAN'S GIFT. '•'. '. TO COST TWO. MILLIONS. From Singapore details aro to hand respecting tho offer' of the Federated Malay States to the United Kingdom of a warship to cost 20,000,030 dollars— £2,oW,000 sterling. The Sultan of Pcrak, who visited London at the Coronation of King George, and a few months since entertained Prince Alexander of Tei.-t.at his pahice at Kuala Kangsitr, in Pernk, is -the moving spirit, and it is he'who has brought the matter before the country.' It may seem surprising thai tho Sultan of Perak, a Malay, nhd, of course, a Mohammedan, should I favour a scheme for strengthening the f forces of a Christian nation, but it-is well known that he and the other Sultans I realise that tho maintaining of Britain's | power means tho upholding of the- interests of Mohammedanism in Asia. Malaya is a wonderfully wealthy British protectorate, comprising several States, each of which is governed by a native ruler. They meet at intervals, together with the High Commissioner, Sir Arthur Young; tho Residents, who . are British; the unofficial British members, representing commercial interests, to' some extent; and there is'a Chinese member. For some time past the rulers of the various Slates have entertained the opinion that tho Federated Malay States were not assisting the Empire in defence matters to an extent commensurate with their prosperity. His Highness the Sultan of Perak, • when spoken to upon the.subject by the High Commissioner, was enthusiastic in his praise of tho scheme, and said his wish was to offer to Britain a first>c!ass battleship, to cost not less than 20,000,000 dollars. His Highness was glad to have the opportunity of showing his loyalty and gratitude, he said, to the country that had protected tho .States for so many years, and, through whose aid the States had attained such unbounded prosperity. His Highness the Sultan of Selangor received the subject with similar cordiality, and this, was also the case with the Ruler of Negri Sembilan and his Highmss of Pahang's. representative. .

The noxt' step, was to refer, tho matter to the Federal Council, and' the meeting was an historic ono in the' annals of Malayan administration. ■ Sneaking in the Malayan language, his Highness said: "It is x resolved that this council approves of the. Federated Malay States offering to the United Kingdom a first-class - armoured ship, the vessel to be constructed as soon as his Majesty's adviser's consider it desirable. Details as to payment to be decided hereafter, but payment to be made within five years if possible." It was not that tho United Kingdom was in urgent need of such a vessel that this offer had been made, the Sultan said; it was because he was deeply sensible of tho benefits, of remaining under the protection of the British Empire. The strength of the United Kingdom was apparent to him. He hoped the' vessel to - be built would be a suitable one. < "I consider it only proper," said tho Sultan of Selangor, "that any ship to be provided shall be referreuWto the Admiralty, because such ships should be of the type most useful to the British Government." The Tarn Tuan of Negri Sembilan, the Date Imang Prang of Pnhang, and the .Chinese member of.the .Council, Eu Tong■' Seng, all spoke in favour of the scheme,, and their remarks elicited loud applause. The resolution was carried.