and for what objective?" With the answer to this question to
 
guide me, I can make amore logical plan, can more appropriately
 
distribute the naval forces, can better coordinate the future
 
material preparation of the Navy, and can more usefully
 
advise as to whether or not proposed diplomatic measures can
 
adequately be supported by available naval strength.
 
     That is to say, until the question concerning our final
 
military objective is authoritatively answered, I can not deter-
 
mine the scale and the nature of the effort which the Navy may 
 
be called upon to exert in the Far East, the Pacific, and the
 
Atlantic.
 
     It is a fundamental requirement of our military position
 
that our  homeland remain secure against successful attack.
 
Directly concerned in this security is the safety of other parts
 
of the Western Hemisphere. A very strong pillar of the defense
 
structure of the Americas has, for many years, been the balance
 
of power existing in Europe. The collapse of Great Britain or
 
the destruction or surrender of the British Fleet will destroy
 
this balance and will free European military power for possible
 
encroachment in this hemisphere.
 
     I believe that we should recognize as the foundation of
 
adequate armed strength the possession of a profitable foreign
 
trade, both in raw materials and in finished goods. Without
 
such a trade, our economy can scarcely support heavy armaments.
 
The restoration of foreign trade, particularly with Europe, may 
 
depend upon the continued integrity of the British Empire.
 
                              -19-