The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
s--eh--s -
STRATEGY OF THE SEAS.
submarine Cables an Important Fac
tor In Warfare.
From the Washington Post.

tor In Warfare.
From the Washington Post
One of the most important branches in
the military and naval services is GER
tainly the intelligence department. In these
days of rapid mobilization, concerted
movements, and combined simultaneous
attacks, the important functions of the
intelligence department are apparent.
Great attention is paid to this branch of
the service by all governments, who con-
fide the posts thereof to their ablest Of
1cers,
Field telegraphy. photographs, and other
means are employed by all armies for the
transmission of orders, warnings, or in
formation. Strategic railways have been
built in almost every country for the pur-
poses of mobilization and defense but how
ever carefully both the railways and the
land lines have been constructed, however
efficient these may be, their Importance
is dwarfed their utility curtailed, and
their efficiency reduced TO the limited area
which each country occupies.
To enlarge this area, to make the whole
of the earth's surface come within the
limits of its influence, has been the care
full study Of the British strateglsts. While
the nations of the earth have been en-
crossed by the construction of their land
lines and strategic routes, England has
devoted her attention, her energy, and her
capital. to laying submarine cables to
every part of the world to where her ships
can go, or where her interests call her
The continents of Europe Asia, Africa,
and America, are practically surrounded
by British cables, and every strategic
point in mid-ocean has British cable sta
ton. Great Britain practically holds the
n O a ri talp nh G Of
the world. Therefore, in case of war be-
tween herself and another power or com
bination of powers, these would be imme-
dlately debarred from all sources of infor-
nation, while England would be perfect
ly Informed and be able to direct her mill
itary and naval operations in every quar-
ter of the globe.
AS an illustration of the foregoing, let
US take for instance a possible combina-
ton of France and the United States
against England. Such a combination has
existed in the past. and history is apt to
repeat itself. If such an event actually
should occur, ocean Geographic communi-
cation between France and the United
States would cease, and postal commune
cation become almost impossible between
the two countries. We certainly would
invade Canada, but that is the utmost we
could do, there would be no possibility Of
a combined action of our fleets, both of
spective shores for Instructions and infor-
nation, while the British fleets would
traverse every ocean, receiving wherever
they went, direct instructions and infor-
nation.
The French colonies of the east as well
as Madagascar would fall an easy prey
to the British warships, as they would
be debarred from any communication
with Paris. On the other hand these
same colonies being, as they are, sur
rounded by British cables. the English
war vessels would be perfectly instructed
and informed.
In the North Atlantic the American and
French fleets when out at sea would al
ways be within the parallelogram formed
by the British cable stations OF Halifax
Valentia, Bermuda, Azores, Barbados
and st. Vincent.
The average radius OF action OF French
and American war vessels Is 1000 to $500
miles So that at whatever ports vessels
OF either fleets called, other than those Of
their own nationality. their presence and
strength would be instantly slgnaled to
London and to the nearest British com
handing officer Such information would
confer an immense advantage on the
British. and enable them to capture the
Franco American vessels either piece
meal or In squadrons. On the other hand
the French and American officers would
be deprived Of any communication what
soever, either with their own govern
menta, or with each other, 40 that com
bined action would be impossible
But Il may be objected, submarine ca
bes can be easily cut and destroyed Such
Is not the case. Gables may certainly be
cut, but for this purpose Il Is necessary
10 have expressly htted ships and expert
men, and neither these ships nor men are
plentiful Besides, the British will take
good care that the waters In which their
cables are laid shall be carefully pro-
tected.
Admitting. however. the actual inter-
ruptlon OF one or more OF the British ca
bes that nation has 20 worked up and
monopollzed the cable industry up to the
present. that they would repair and re-
build their cable system just as fast as
Il could be injured Their cable manufac-
tories are powerful, their cable steamers
are numerous; their cable engineers efii-
cient.
The process OF enveloping the world In
a vast network OF British built and Brit
ish-owned cables, has been going on for
close on fifty years. noiselessy. but sure
ly; and now England II practically mis-
tress OF the whole submarine Geographic
communications OF the world. This IN n
standing menace both. politically and
atratarlcaliy 20 all nations
Let us now assume the hypothesis Of
Isolated action Of France or the United
states against England. In the former
case the only source Of supply for the