and possesses in a marked degree the sea instinct which haunts sea-girt lands. The population has hitherto mainly occupied only a fringe of the littoral The capitals are situated close to salt water, and in Sydney the largest vessels afloat can berth in the heart of the city without docking. The early settlers brought with them to their new home that passion for the romance of the sea which was peculiar to the days of long sailing voyages. They still delight in the old sea chanties. Australia, sprung from the loins of the sea, has the same love for the element, the same longing for sea-power which characterizes Britannia.
This is doubtless one of the reasons for the pertinacity with which many Australians cling to the idea of an Australian Navy, despite the irresistible arguments of naval experts, so ably put forward by Lord Selborne at the last Colonial Conference, to the effect that the command of the sea depends on the capacity to detach naval strength from locality and to concentrate it in any part of the world where a hostile fleet exists in force. Command of the sea, however, in the opinion of Australians, does not prevent the possibility of damage from chance raiders, and this, they maintain, would be most likely to occur when the fleet was engaged in some distant operation. It is just when the fire-engines are away at some great conflagration that it is especially desirable for a householder to have at hand the means of extinguishing an incipient outbreak. The rejoicings appropriate to a great British naval victory in foreign seas might be marred amid the ruin caused by an irregular bombardment. Moreover, it is urged that the initiative and alertness which evolved the Australian soldier might with equal advantage be brought to bear on naval construction and strategy.
Australians view with regret and dismay the rapid denationalization which is taking place in the mercantile marine, where lascars and foreigners in ever-increasing numbers are daily ousting British sailors from employment. It is doubtful whether a supreme navy is
