and Unpreparedness 141 



we get into a war with a more formidable power 

 than Spain, we shall pull through somehow. Such 

 a view is unjust to the nation, and particularly un 

 just to the splendid men of the army and of the 

 navy, who would be sacrificed to it, should we ever 

 engage in a serious war without having learned the 

 lessons that the year 1898 ought to have taught. 



If we wish to get an explanation of the efficiency 

 of our navy in 1898, and of the astonishing ease 

 with which its victories were won, we must go a long 

 way back of that year, and study not only its his 

 tory, but the history of the Spanish navy for many 

 decades. Of course any such study must begin with 

 a prompt admission of the splendid natural quality 

 of our officers and men. On the bridge, in the gun- 

 turrets, m the engine-room, and behind the quick- 

 firers, every one alike, from the highest to the lowest, 

 was eager for the war, and was in heart, mind, and 

 body, of the very type which makes the best kind 

 of fighting man. Many of the officers of our ships 

 have mentioned to me that during the war punish 

 ments almost ceased, because the men who got into 

 scrapes in times of peace were so aroused and ex 

 cited by the chance of battle that their behavior was 

 perfect. We read now and then of foreign services 

 where men hate their officers, have no community 

 of interest with them, and no desire to fight for the 

 flag. Most emphatically such is not the case in our 



