Page 149 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

13° Possibilities of an

It is because Great Britain's sea power, though
still superior, has declined relatively to that of
other states, and is no longer supreme, that
she has been induced to concede to neutrals
the principle that the flag covers the goods.
It is a concession wrung from relative weak-
ness — or possibly from a mistaken humanita-
rianism but, to whatever due, it is all to the
;
profit of the neutral and to the loss of the
stronger belligerent. The only justification, in
policy, for its yielding by the latter, is that she
can no longer, as formerly, bear the additional
burden of hostility, if the neutral should ally
himself to the enemy. I have on another occa-
sion said that the principle that the flag covers
the goods is forever secured— meaning there-
by that, so far as present indications go, no
one power would be strong enough at sea to
maintain the contrary by arms.
In the same way it may be asserted quite
confidently that the concession of immunity to
what is unthinkingly called the " private prop-
erty " of an enemy on the sea, will never be con-
ceded by a nation or alliance confident in its own
sea power. It has been the dream of the weaker
sea belligerents in all ages ; and their argu-