Page 219 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

200 Preparedness for Naval War.

a navy able to keep the sea in the presence of
a probable enemy— consist what may be called
most accurately preparations for war. In so

far as the United States is short in them, she is
at the mercy of an enemy whose naval strength
is greater than that of her own available navy.
If her navy cannot keep the enemy off the
coast, blockade at least is possible. If, in addi-
tion, there are no harbor torpedo-boats, blockade
is easy. If, further, guns and torpedo lines are
deficient, bombardment comes within the range
of possibility, and may reach even the point of
entire feasibility. There will be no time for
preparation after war begins.
It is not in the preparation of material that
states generally fall most short of being ready
for war at brief notice ; for such preparation is
chiefly a question of money and of manufac-
ture, — not so much of preservation after crea-
tion. If money enough is forthcoming, a
moderate degree of foresight can insure that
the amount of material deemed necessary shall
be on hand at a given future moment ; and a
similar condition can be maintained steadily.
Losses by deterioration or expenditure, or
demand for further increase if such appear