These great reviews, of which that of last Saturday was
the third, are undoubtedly useful in popularising the Navy and making people understand the nature of sea power. At the same time, one must not dwell upon the splendour of the thing seen without noting also that which is unseen,—namely, that the power and magnificence of to-day is of no value unless we are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to keep our supremacy in the future. We may be supreme at sea in 1909, and yet in 1912 be at the mercy of our rivals if we are foolish enough to neglect the need for preparation. It is not too much to say that at this moment the mastery of the sea is being hammered out on thousands of German and British anvils. Victory will come not to those who make the bravest show at reviews, but to those who swing most hammers and drive in most rivets, or rather, to those who, having provided the best material, know also best how to use it. That at present we have the best material both in iron, in men, and in officers we do not doubt for a moment. As to whether we are devoting enough time to thinking out how to use our ships, we do not feel sure. The strategy of the sea is not a thing which comes to Admirals by instinct and without thought and study.
Previous page
