Слике страница
PDF
ePub
[graphic]

LATE B CLASS SHIP OF IMPROVED ENVELOPE SHAPE, SINGLE RUDDERS, AND WITH APPENDAGES ELIMINATED. NOTE WIND SCOOP BEHIND PROPELLER ON BELLY OF ENVELOPE.

[blocks in formation]

There is an ancient Chinese proverb, born out of countless ages of human experience, which says "Though all the world be at peace, if the art of war be forgot there is peril." To-day the example of China, herself, is a striking illustration of the folly of forgetting this wisdom, handed down by one of her own seers.

We are now at one of the most critical periods of history. A world nauseated with war wishes to abolish war for all time. Geographic, political and economic readjustments are to be made on the basis of a closer approach to fundamental justice than has been practicable in the past. Some form of international organization having in view primarily the prevention or the diminution of war, is likely to be established.

Probably, these conditions and measures will succeed in at least prolonging the intervals of peace, and perhaps ultimately in preventing predatory war. But to assume that within a sensible time the probability of war can be eliminated wholly is to challenge reasoned judgment and appears to court disaster.

Certainly war will continue to harass mankind until its underlying causes are eradicated. Chief among these is economic competition, inevitably brought about by inherent conditions beyond the control of man; such as:

(a) Geographical position.

(b) Unequal distribution of natural resources-fertility of soil, minerals, natural highways, climate, fisheries, forests, harbors, etc.

(c) Racial development and decay.

(d) Overpopulation in certain areas; requiring abnormal provision for existence.

(e) The fact that governments must be formed for the common welfare and protection of communities; and that governments are inherently selfish organizations on account of the duties and obligations which they owe to their citizens.

Another important underlying cause of war is human nature; more especially in the following aspects:

(a) Strong racial antipathies.

(b) The instinct of self-preservation and of upholding what is conceived to be one's rights.

(c) The influence of habit upon opinions and prejudices; which inculcates dislike and conflicting ideas of right between peoples of different language, customs, religions, etc. (d) Pride and ambition.

(e) The inherent desire in men to enrich themselves.

(f) Mass psychology, by which large numbers of people are swayed by leaders to take extreme measures when emotionally aroused.

Change in human nature is an evolutionary process so slow as to be all but inappreciable, and consequently this cause of war is not likely to disappear for some thousands of years.

There are constantly at work influences which tend to make war 'less probable. Among these are the gradual amalgamation of languages and races, a growing intercourse, sympathy, and understanding among men at large, and an increasing economic interdependence among nations. These and other changes doubtless will bring about ultimately greater political stability, but for many centuries to come "Though all the world be at peace, if the art of war be forgot there is peril."

CONDITIONS CONFRONTING THE NAVY IN THE IMMEDIATE

FUTURE

Despite the basic principles referred to above, the world mind is so obsessed with a desire for peace that many people will be

lieve in the permanent efficacy of measures adopted with the object of preventing war. The idealistic inclinations of Americans, our remoteness from Europe, and above all our freedom from compelling economic necessity, will serve to strengthen this fallacy in the United States and to enlist a larger proportion of adherents to it than in any European state.

Therefore less than ever can we expect to escape the cycle of events leading to unpreparedness, which has followed every war in American history.

First will come a period of financial retrenchment which must include a reduction of naval armament and expenditure. This is inevitable, and necessary for the national good; and naval officers will not dispute the wisdom of it unless the relative strength of our navy be reduced below that necessary to safeguard our national interests.

Then will follow a slackening of public interest in naval affairs. Normally this is a process brought about by awakened public attention to internal political, commercial, and other matters of peace-time occupation. But under the unusual conditions of a world organization to maintain peace, likely to be adopted soon, we must expect the American people to put aside all thought of naval affairs more impatiently than they have ever done before. The majority of them will never appreciate the essential difference between the spirit of the United States as a member of the League and the spirit of most of the other great members. Our country is rich, underpopulated, remote, and politically unified. European nations are face to face with grave economic problems involving sheer livelihood, the satisfactory solution of which is menaced constantly by the keen competition of close neighbors, foreign in blood, language, custom, and understanding. Perhaps we can hope for a Utopian world and afford to make sacrifices to that end; practical considerations prevent Europeans from doing so.

The indifference of the American public will be reflected inevitably in Congress, upon which the navy depends not only for appropriations but also for general legislation affecting intimately all aspects of naval preparedness and efficiency. In the near future we must expect inadequacy both of funds and laws, in many respects inimical to the navy's fitness for great emergencies. The navy's present high prestige cannot be preserved long. We must look for a reversion to former conditions of hostility on

« ПретходнаНастави »