Evening star., 1897-01-02
THE BATTLE OF THE NILE
It's Effect and Its Influence We're Far
Reaching.
The Continent of Europe Was Con-
vulsed From End to End When
the News Was Known.

Capt. A. r. Mahan IL the January Century.
OF thirteen French ships OF the line all
but two were taken or destroyed. The fleet
was annihilated Victory" said Nelson.
justly. rs certainly not a name strong
enough for such a scene as 1 have passed"
In completeness of immediate results upon
the field, no fleet action has ever equaled
the battle of the Nile. Upon the fortunes
of the particular enterprise which elected
it-Bonaparte's oriental expedition-the ef-
feet was absolutely decisive. 1t became I'M
possible. and was by experience demon
strated to be impossible, to afford to the
eXpeditionary force the renewal of men and
supplies upon which depended not only the
prosecution of the undertaking. but even
the maintenance of the position already
achieved.
The influence OF the battle of the Nile was
more far-reaching still; the continent of
Europe became convulsed from end to end
as soon as the news was received. Elated
by Bonaparte's career of victory in Italy,
and hy the submission of Austria to terms
OF peace, the French government had en-
tered upon course of arrogant aggression
toward other countries-of which the un-
provoked Egyptian expedition was only one
eNan:ple-that had aroused the wrath of all
nations. Even the United States was forced
from its attitude of benevolent neutrality
which had depended upon the tradition of
the war of independence and the adoDtion
by France of republican institutions
The general resentment in Europe was
however, curbed by experience of the might
OF the French revolutionary movement and
OF the French armies when welded by a
man like Bonaparte and there was want
ing the demonstration of some power cana
bie OF imposing an absolute check upon
.@nelr @ future progress. The battle of the
Nile gave such demonstration. As Nelson
said. 1t was more than a victory: N WAS a
catastrophe. The French feet was anninl-
lated the Mediterranean passed into the
n i 80 Init s,ala
er Of the French army and the invincible
Bonaparte We're cut off hopelessly from
france. Turkey. previously oyerawed by
Inc neet, declared war in a month. Austria
Russia and Naples had already drawn to-
gether in coalition. They were emboldened
as the permanence OF the conditions due 10
the battle became evident to pursue their
military enterprises upon scale whi,.n
brought the republic TO the brink of ruin
from which IT was saved only by the un-
expected and fortuitous return of Bona
parte, and his accession to supreme power
year later. Before the year 1sgs expired
a combined Russian and Turkish fleet en-
tered the Mediterranean from the Black
sea, ana undertook to wrest the Ionian
isiands from France. In India the move
nents against the British domination which
mad been fomented by French negotiations
ana which Bonaparte expected to foster
ieii stubborn when the disaster beca ne
known there. Nelson, aware of the i'm
portance of the news to British interests.
had al once dispatched a SPECIAL messenger
overland to Bombay
The general satisfaction. not TO say .xuI-
tauon, was shown by the honors and re-
wards showered from all sides upaD the
victor. The sultan and the czar the kings
OF Sardinia and of the Two Sicilles sent
messengers of congratulation and rich
presents, the car accompanying his with
an autograph letter. on the part of his
own country the two houses of parliament
voted their thanks and pension of f2eU a
Year The East India Company by a gift of
Irgf
Tor the Indian possessions. Other indi-
Vidual corporations took appropriate notice
OF the great event; instances so far apart
as the cities of London and Palermo and
the island of Zante showing how wide
spread was the sense of relief
In ttular rank Nelson was raised to tIp
lowest grade of the peerage as Baron Mel
son OF the Nile. Indignant comment was
made in some quarters upon the ina deauacy
or this advancement 20 the brilliancy ard
Importance of the service done The min
ls.ry 1ustined It's action upon the technical
ground that though no superior gas with
IN TWO thousand miles of Aboukir. Nielsen
was nevertheless subordinate nag officer
not commander-in-chief
NOT less gratifying to him, with his sensi-
tive appreciation of friendship and susc.n
tipiiity TO nattery must have been the nu-
merous letters OF congratulaton he re-
ceiVed from friends in and out of the SER
vice, and especially from men whose emit
nence and professional standing made tbeIr
praise a sound criterion for the calm cf,ar
Judgment or mankind. Besides many other
omcers OF character and reputation. the
oee s g. great admirals. Lords Howe. Hood
ana ST. vincent the leaders of the navy In
rank and distinguished service, wrote to
MIN In the strongest terms of admiration
ne iatter two did not hesitate to style the
battle the greatest achievement that his
tory cocld produce while Howe's laneuape
more measured, was so only because. like
nimseli, 1t was more precise in character-
.ne special merits OF the action, and
was the e-efore acknowledged by Nelson vi,h
particular expressions OF pleasure