The United States of America never knew how much wealth the Conquestadore had squeezed from the conquered territory in requisitions, in fines, in license fees, in taxes on imports and exports, and in war levies. Statisticians figured for years afterward to discover from the wildly tangled accounts how much he had extorted. They figured and quarreled for a generation over the vast amounts that the United States had lost by losing the markets of the world; for when her ports were opened, she found that the markets were gone.
Men said that from first to last the invading army had taken a sum not short of four billions of dollars. But whatever the sum, it was as nothing to the wound that had struck America near the heart--a brave Nation, a greatly capable Nation, made to grovel for her life because, in a world of men, she had failed to prepare for what men might do.
[1] The reader will recall Nast’s skeleton representing the Regular Army with the legend, “Match it for grit if you can” or words to that effect.
[5] Taken from actual stations of various troops at various times. The army post system is considered indefensible among military men.
[6] Speed of embarkation of a mobilized and prepared army as calculated by European military staff officers.
[7] One thousand rifled cannon could be enumerated from the naval lists of less than four Powers. Less than four Powers could match our Navy with battleships.
[8] This is exactly what happened during the Spanish-American War.
[9] From U. S. War Department Reports for 1915 on Militia Organization.
[10] This statement does not betray a military secret. It is well known to all foreign governments that we cannot defend our coast defenses against land attack.
[11] Certain naval experts, basing their opinion on study of the recent naval battles, claim that a difference of as little as 10 per cent. in efficiency between fleets otherwise absolutely equal means inevitable destruction for the inferior fleet.
[12] A tactical necessity for an outnumbered fleet.
[13] This statement is based on official army calculations.
[14] From tabulated returns by the militia departments of twelve Eastern States.
[15] From annual reports of rifle practice for 1914, militia organizations.