Page 304 - The Interest of America in Sea Power Present and Future

282 Strategic Features of the Gulf of

and military, interest. The approaches on the
other side— the interior communications of
the Mississippi, that is, or the maritime routes
in the Pacific converging upon the Isthmus —

do not here concern us. These approaches, in
terms of military art, are known as the " com-
munications." Communications are probably
the most vital and determining element in
strategy, military or naval. They are literally
the most radical ; for all military operations
depend upon communications, as the fruit of
a plant depends upon communication with its
root. We draw therefore upon the map the
chief lines by which communication exists be-
tween these two centres and the outside world.
Such lines represent the mutual dependence
of the centres and the exterior, by which each
ministers to the others, and by severance of
which either becomes useless to the others. It
is from their potential effect upon these lines
of communication that all positions in the Gulf
or the Caribbean derive their military value, or
want of value.
It is impossible to precede or to accom-
pany a discussion of this sort with a technical
exposition of naval strategy. Such definitions