To Great Britain, whose major policy is that she must be mistress of the seas, it is vital that she should be.

Her people are surrounded by the ocean, and unless they are willing simply to eke out an agricultural existence, it is essential that she should be able to manufacture articles, send them out in ships to all parts of the world, and receive in return money and the products of other lands.

In order that she may be able to do this, she must feel sure that no power on earth can restrain the peaceful sailing to and fro of her exporting and importing ships.

This assurance can be had only through physical force; it can be exerted only by a navy.
Germany has been gradually coming into the same position, and the same clear comprehension, owing to the increase of her population, the growth of their desire for wealth, and their realization of the control by Great Britain and the United States of large areas of the surface of the earth.

Germany's determination to break down, at least in part, that overpowering command of the sea which Great Britain wields has been the result.