ALFRED THAYER MAHAN
MAHAN, ALFRED THAYER, captain in the United States navy, expert naval strategist and scholar, author of a brilliant series of books upon the influence of navies on the history of nations, and representative from the United States to the Peace Conference at the Hague, in 1899, is a striking example of the application of mental ability to intricate and far-reaching problems of world-politics and history, and of the ability to bring the results of such study to bear upon the world's life at the present time. His mastery of his subject is in part the result of his long and arduous training in so many grades of naval service, in its theoretic studies and practical duties; but still more is it owing to a natural penetration and comprehensiveness of mind, which grasps a subject in its large scope and at the same time sees details as by intuition.
His most important life-work, for which his training so well equipped him, is the series of books on Sea- Power, which have been translated into French, German, Russian and Japanese. These works are a real and a notable addition to the knowledge and the science of the world. Americans had reason to feel that this representative of theirs at the Hague, at the late Peace Conference, was unusually qualified for membership in this unique congress, the first authoritative gathering of representatives of the Great Powers to consider the question of international arbitration. His breadth of knowledge, his technical education, and his reputation as the most eminent living expert in naval strategy, made his designation for this work in the interest of peace, exceptionally appropriate. He had always been an advocate of well-equipped navies, and of a state of preparation for war, for the sake of averting war and maintaining peace. He was an "ideal representative" at the Hague, by reason of the scope of his knowledge, and of his unusual ability to grasp quickly and accurately the factors in the far-reaching and intricate problems which came before the congress. His whole record of work is one which proves how strong is the combination of natural power of mind with assiduous industry and practical disciplinary drill.
