Fallacy Of Commercial Destroyers

The implicit belief in the virtues of eoninieree destroying is likely to stand in the way of the development of our navy. It is the cheapest policy, and therefore rnakes a strong appeal to those who think themselves economists. But the end of var is to win, and no nation has yet emerged victorious fi-om a contest in which she relied on commerce destroying to eripple her enemy. Kngland tried it once under Cliarles II-, and the Dutch fleet burned the shipping within sight oi London. France relied on it and was beaten in every struggle. Even the suceesses of ttoe Alabama, the reeollecttoin oí wMch ie the mala cause for the prevalence of the delusory belief in commerce destroying, did not affect the result oí the war. Who-never a nation has relied solely on commerce destroying she has been beaten. Commerce destroying as a secondary operation may be useful ; but the only basis on which the policy should be pilt into force farvolves the eslstence of large fleet to keep the fleets of the enemy in check. As a primary operation its suecesa is an illusion and leads dowu a steep place to disaster.- Capt. Joseph ISentley in The IUustrated American.