The ensuing rapid growth and excellence of Germany's navy and merchant marine brought Germany and England into sharp competition.

Military and naval men have seen for years that these competing nations would have to go to war some day in "self-defense." In the minds of some people the idea of what constitutes "defense" is rather hazy, and "defense" is deemed almost synonymous with "resistance." Perhaps the clearest idea of what constitutes "defense" is given in a sentence in Webster's Dictionary, that reads: "The inmates of a fortress are _defended_ by its guns, _protected_ by its walls, and _guarded_ against surprise by sentries." The distinction is important, and the partially aggressive character of defense it indicates is exemplified in all walks of human and brute life.

Any animal, no matter how peaceably inclined, will turn on his aggressor--unless, indeed, he runs away.

No one ever saw any brute oppose a merely passive resistance to attack.

Every man recognizes in himself an instinct to hit back if he is hit.