Relation of Power

In the eighth chapter of the third book we have spoken of the value of superior numbers in battles, from which follows as a consequence the superiority of numbers in general in strategy. So far the importance of the relations of power is established: we shall now add a few more detailed considerations on the subject.

An unbiased examination of modern military history leads to the conviction that the superiority in numbers becomes every day more decisive; the principle of assembling the greatest possible numbers for a decisive battle may therefore be regarded as more important than ever.
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armies are in our days so much on a par in regard to arms, equipment, and drill, that there is no very notable difference between the best and the worst in these things. A difference may still be observed, resulting from the superior instruction of the general staff, but in general it only amounts to this, that one is the inventor and introducer of improved appliances, which the other immediately imitates! Even the subordinate generals, leaders of corps and divisions, in all that comes within the scope of their sphere, have in general everywhere the same ideas and methods, so that, except the talent of the commander- in-chief -- a thing entirely dependent on chance, and not bearing a constant relation to the standard of education amongst the people and the army -- there is nothing now but habituation to war which can give one army a decided superiority over another. The nearer approach to a state of equality in all these things, the more decisive becomes the relation in point of numbers.

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