§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean); I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what provision is made for the instruction of naval officers in strategy: and what means are adopted to ascertain whether officers of the higher ranks have studied the subject.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareThere is not now, nor has there ever been, an established school for the study of strategy by naval officers of the higher ranks; but the whole education of the naval officer from entry in the Service to the attaintment of high command leads him to this study. The right hon. Member speaks of strategy only. Tactics, or the science of disposing naval forces in order for battle and of performing naval evolutions, are constantly taught in our Fleets and Squadrons.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is no instruction given in strategy at all? Is there no professor of naval strategy?
§ MR. GOSCHENNaval officers, when they assume high commands, study this question; but there is no professor of naval strategy to teach them. I do not know whether such a gentleman exists.