MILITARY EXPEDITIONS BEYOND THE SEAS. CHAPTER I. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON MILITARY EXPEDITIONS BEYOND THE SEAS. Definition-Purposes for which they may be intended-Hostilities to be determined on after mature reflection-The country must bear the burden with resolution-The Government needs the advice of the naval and military experts-Causes which may influence the plans-Due preparations must be made—Responsibility of the Government and of the General -Napier's strictures on the action of the British Government at the beginning of this century-Absence of any plan when Sir Arthur Wellesley sailed for the Peninsula-Expeditions against Ferrol, Cadiz, and Calabria-Bonaparte's reasons for seizing Egypt-Nelson's views thereon-British forces might have been better employed in the war with France-Troops available to raise the strength of the army in the Peninsula— The Government did not provide the army in Spain with the necessary funds-Cost of Russian co-operation-Clauswitz's remarks on diversions-He considers the advantages doubtful Mahan's definition of diversions-Why England sent troops to Holland-The Walcheren expedition-Sir E. VOL, į 14 B Creasy's remarks on the fault of the Athenians in delaying the attack on Syracuse-Expedition to Lorient-Lissa as an example of operations undertaken to find employment for the forces of a country. EXPEDITIONS beyond the seas are all those enterprises in which large bodies of troops are conveyed in ships to a distant country, there to be landed to undertake military operations. A State may resort to expeditions of this nature for a variety of purposes; the principal among these are (a) An invasion with the object of conquest and territorial aggrandizement. (b) As a means of transferring a war into the enemy's country. (c) As a diversion, to ease the pressure brought (d) As a preliminary measure, to establish a base for ulterior offensive operations. (e) To curb the arbitrary power of a state or ruler. (f) To destroy the enemy's arsenals, dockyards, etc., which constitute a standing menace. (g) To deliver a country from foreign domination. (h) To obtain redress, or to avenge an insult to the national flag. (i) To protect the commerce of the world. For a nation which holds the command of the sea, so long as the organization of its forces in view of any possible contingencies is good, a combined naval and military operation should not present any very serious difficulties. Taking, nevertheless, into account the enormous cost which such operations entail, they should not be undertaken with a light heart. Appalled by some imaginary calamity, or stirred by strong provocation, the population may clamour for war; but, as the population is an irresponsible power, it behoves the Government to calm its ferment, to reassure it by the wisdom of its measures, and to save the country the cost and horrors of a prolonged contest by making a firm stand against any over-hasty action. It lies with the ruling authorities to watch over the course of events, and to detect when any national interest is likely to suffer from the action of any foreign country, when it may become expedient to afford tangible support and assistance to a weak state which is bravely defending its rights, or when the aggressive policy pursued by a stronger one is likely to disturb the balance of power. There are at all times, more or less, political questions which, as they can be amicably settled by mutual concessions, give no cause for uneasiness. There are other contentions, however, in which the feelings of the people run so high and the ordinary friendly intercourse between two countries becomes so strained, that there are good grounds for dreading the most serious consequences. The Cabinet is bound to inquire into the political bearing of each |