Page 220 - The interest of America in sea power, present and future

Preparedness for Naval War. 201

desirable, can all be forecast with reasonable
calculations, and requirements thence arising
can be made good. This is comparatively
easy, because mere material, once wrought into
shape for war, does not deteriorate from its
utility to the nation because not used imme-

diately. It can be stored and cared for at a
relatively small expense, and with proper over-
sight will remain just as good and just as ready
for use as at its first production. There are
certain deductions, a certain percentage of
impairment to be allowed for, but the general
statement holds.
A very different question is confronted in
the problem how to be ready at equally short
notice to use this material, — to provide in suffi-
cient numbers, upon a sudden call, the living
agents, without whom the material is worthless.
Such men in our day must be especially trained
;
and not only so, but while training once
acquired will not be forgot wholly — stays by
a man for a certain time — it nevertheless tends
constantly to drop off from him. Like all
habits, it requires continued practice. More-
over, it takes quite a long time to form, in a
new recruit, not merely familiarity with the use