NAVAL SUPREMACY AND NATIONAL SAFETY.
LTO TIM EDITOR OF THU "SricarATou.".1 Si,—In the Spectator of September 8th there is in a leading article this statement : "To be surrounded by water makes a State infinitely more vulnerable to invasion than to be sur- rounded by land, since all history shows that it is far easier to transport an invading force by sea, and to deliver a hostile blow at a nation's vulnerable point, than it is to do so by land." I would venture, Sir, to suggest that this view is not in its entirety correct, for it seems to me that history, far from showing that it is "easier to transport an invading force by sea, and to deliver a hostile blow at a nation's vulnerable point, than it is to do so by land," gives an opposite experience. Foy instance, in the wars between Prussia and Austria, between France and Austria, between France and Germany, as also in Napoleon's various attacks on Spain, Italy, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, there never was any very serious difficulty (except in Switzer- land) in the advance of the invading forces ; while if we look at the other side of the question—invasion across the seas— there is not one single instance, since the invention of quick- firing and long-range guns, of any successful landing in the face of real opposition. To quote the entry of the Saxons, the Danes, the Romans, or the Normans into England is not in the least to the point, for the con- ditions between then and now are completely altered. In those earlier days of our island story the population was very small, and a landing force required little more than the arms, they bore. But the England of to-day has coasts teeming with people, guarded by Regulars. Militia, and Volunteers ; and further than this, no invading force would attempt to. land—or at any rate would not have much chance of success if it did land—had it not with it heavy guns, a large force of cavalry, and a supply of Service ammunition sufficient for a six weeks' campaign. Then, again, how are the invaders to land their guns ? You may lower these immense cannons into boats and launches, but any sailor will tell you that it is no easy matter to get such heavy pieces of ordnance out of the boats on to dry land; and as to landing horses in the face of opposition, this simply cannot be effected. I think, Sir, you will find that many of our best soldiers are of opinion that our being surrounded by water adds greatly to our. immunity from the danger of invasion, though most certainly it is also a fixed article of sound belief that without a properly: armed and instructed force ready to resist invasion it would be a poor look-out for Great Britain were an invasion ever to be attempted.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A. F. P. HA.RCOURT, C0101101. Junior United Service Club.
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