The attitude to be taken should depend radically upon the power of your opponent.

Let us not tire of repeating, according as she has to do with an inferior or superior power, France has before her two distinct strategies, radically opposite both in means and ends,--Grand War and Cruising War." Such a formal utterance by an officer of rank must be received with respect, and the more so when it expresses a consistent policy followed by a great and warlike nation; yet it may be questioned whether a sea power worthy of the name can thus be secured.

Logically, it follows from the position assumed, that combats between equal forces are to be discouraged, because the loss to you is greater than the loss to your opponent.

"In fact," says Ramatuelle, upholding the French policy, "of what consequence to the English would be the loss of a few ships ?" But the next inevitable step in the argument is that it is better not to meet the enemy.

As another Frenchman,[97] previously quoted, says, it was considered a mishap to their ships to fall in with a hostile force, and, if one was met, their duty was to avoid action if possible to do so honorably.