Although the influence of a single inhabitant of the theatre of war on
the course of the war in most cases is not more perceptible than the
co-operation of a drop of water in a whole river, still even in cases
where there is no such thing as a general rising of the people, the
_total influence_ of the inhabitants of a country in war is anything
but imperceptible. Every thing goes on easier in our own country,
provided it is not opposed by the general feeling of the population.
All contributions great and small, are only yielded to the enemy under
the compulsion of direct force; that operation must be undertaken by
the troops, and cost the employment of many men as well as great
exertions. The defensive receives all he wants, if not always
voluntarily, as in cases of enthusiastic devotion, still through the
long-used channels of submission to the state on the part of the
citizens, which has become second nature, and which besides that, is
enforced by the terrors of the law with which the army has nothing to
do. But the spontaneous co-operation of the people proceeding from true
attachment is in all cases most important, as it never fails in all
those points where service can be rendered without any sacrifice. We
shall only notice one point, which is of the highest importance in war,
that is _intelligence_, not so much special, great and important
information through persons employed, as that respecting the
innumerable little matters in connection with which the daily service
of an army is carried on in uncertainty, and with regard to which a
good understanding with the inhabitants gives the defensive a general
advantage.
If we ascend from this quite general and never failing beneficial
influence, up to special cases in which the populace begins to take
part in the war, and then further up to the highest degree, where as in
Spain, the war, as regards its leading events is chiefly a war carried
on by the people themselves, we may see that we have here virtually a
new power rather than a manifestation of increased cooperation on the
part of the people, and therefore that—
4.—The National Armament,
or general call to arms, may be considered as a particular means of
defence.
5.—Allies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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