THE OCEAN AS A BATTLE-FIELD 297 



history tells us plainly ; but it is, to say the least of 

 it, curious that Napoleon, with all his transcendent 

 military genius, did not recognize this. It only goes 

 to show how the greatest of men have their limitations, 

 their points of failure. The ability of Captain Mahan 

 has shown us how all through the mighty struggle 

 with Napoleon which we waged, not alone for our own 

 freedom, but for the liberties of Europe, sea-power 

 was the predominant factor, and that the smashing 

 of the French fleet at the Nile and the crowning 

 mercy of Trafalgar really settled the question whether 

 Napoleon or freedom was to sway the destinies of 

 Europe. 



Now, men began to recognize that the ocean was 

 not only the great battle-field, but that the nation 

 which obtained pre-eminence in that exotic warfare 

 was sure to be the arbiter of peace and war, was bound 

 to be in an unassailable position as regarded its own 

 interests, so long as it took care to keep that pre- 

 eminence. It will, I suppose, be set down to mere 

 insular hypocrisy, as usual, when I say that it was 

 a good thing for the world that this pre-eminence 

 should have been reached and kept by Britain. I 

 care not, because I know it is true. Can we point to 

 any other nation and honestly say that they might 

 be trusted with an overwhelming strong navy and 

 perfect knowledge how to use it ? It is hardly worth 

 while to put the question, because every man honestly 

 minded, no matter what his nationality may be, will 

 know, even if he does not care to give the answer. 

 But I am going ahead too fast, since I want to point 

 out how essentially naval conditions have altered since 

 the days of the old wooden walls days not so far 



