Direct Contributions to the Royal Navy Ended London, Feb. 26, Much interest has been aroused in Jan announcement that Mis Majesty's Government, in a United Kingdom agreement, will forego. in the future, annual payments of direct contribu: tion amounting to £100,000 towards the naval defence of India, and mislcellaneous charges of £15,000 to £20,000 on behalf of vessels of the Royal Navy, on condition that the Government' of India maintain a seagoing fleet of not less than' six modern escort vessels free 10 cooperate with the Royal Navy in defence on India, and, in addition, to ful mi their responsibility for the local naval defence of Indian ports.
It is recalled that, in consideration lof services performed by the Royal Navy, India has paid a contribution fof varying amounts since 1869, Although the amount represents but a small fraction of India's total defence expenditure, it is of considerable importance, in relation to the present annual expenditure of proximately £500,000 on the Royal Indian Navy, and it will be of substantial assistance in modernizing and maintaining in a state of effdency India's fleet of sloops and auxiliary craft,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.