HELP FOR THE NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 167, 2 December 1912, Page 5

HELP FOR THE NAVY.

' r iAN INDIAN CONTRIBUTION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, j London, November 29. The Indian ruling princes and nobles •re conferring at Bombay with the ▼iew of presenting three super-Dread-noughts and nine armored cruisers. It is suggested that the vessels should be stationed in the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. The movement originated during the visit of two leading Rajput princes' to England, Mr. Churchill,'when first sounded, considered the fccheme impracticable, but Bixty Rajput princes and many others, as well as a number of Indian people, responded to the suggestion to contribute. MAGNIFICENT OFFER FROM INDIA. TWELVE BATTLESHIPS. STATEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE. DOUBTS RAISED. . -—.. Received 1, 5.5 p.m. London, November 30. Speaking at Aberdeen, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Lloyd George), referring to the Indian naval offer, said that the India Office was without infor- ' (nation as to the practicability of the navy scheme, which was doubted in some quarters. The battleships would cost £6,750,000, and the battle cruisers , £18,000,000, or, if only armored cruisers, ' . £1J.,250,000. It was impossible for the princes to find the amount, and it was undesirable to tax the natives. ' LIVELY INTEREST IN GERMANY. t OFFER WILL NOT AFFECT HER. Received 1, 5.5 p.m. , i Berlin, November 30. The news of India's naval suggestion was received with the liveliest interest in the lobbies of the Reichstag. General Liebert, the Pan-German leader, said chat it was extraordinarily interesting, but would not force Germany into fresh naval legislation. As the British 'fleet was distributed, Germany, he was convinced, could hold her <jwn in home waters. Her policy towards England was friendly. x DEMONSTRATING INDIA'S 'LOYALTY. MR. CHURCHILL'S INDIFFERENCE. Received 1, 5.5 p.m. London, November 30. The Daily Telegraph says that the navy scheme was conceived when .Mr. Borden visited London. Several princes were then approached by the Indian notables, Shakurshri, Jessrajsinghji and Seesodia, who secured the approval of 1 the Maharajahs of Alwar and Jhalawar, and then communicated with the Princes of Bhavnagar, Bikaner, Jaipur, Kashmir. Jodhpur, Limbdi, Mewar, Mysore,'Nepha! and Rewa. These were favorable, as the plan demonstrated India's loyalty to the Empire. Shakurshri regretted that Mr. Churchill threw cold water on the scheme, sajiing that he did not think it .was practicable for a moment/but they were not discouraged, knowing that Governments were transient, and proceeded with their plans, which were received .With enthusiasm in India. The Daily Mail's Indian correspondent suggests that if the native princes desire to give further proof of their undoubted loyalty, they should increase the quotas *>f Imperial service troops, particularly infantry. Hitherto the State of Baroda bad not raised service troops, though there had been several appeals. It would be a most undesirable departure to tax the natives for the British navy. "CLEVER INTRIGUE." ADVERSE PRESS CRITICISM. Received 1, 5.5 p.m. London, December 30. The Daily News' Parliamentary correspondent says that the offer is the outcome of clever intrigue. The islands of Malaya having offered a cruiser, to be paid for in the more or less remote future, hints were dropped in other directions. The affair is a press campaign to levy a ship and money on the natives. It states that the princes will not pay a penny. The Morning Post deprecates the gift. India is already contributing heavily to imperial defence through the British •army. The democracy should not rest its security upon revenues derived from subject races. That would be an ignominious end to the British Empire. " TWO KEELS TO ONE." Received 1. 5.5 p.m. ! London. November 30. Lord Selhourne, speaking at stroud, Sympathised with the policy of two keels to one. It would be absolute meanness to include the Dominions' gifts in the Admiralty's regular programme.