Naval strategy does not exist as a separate branch of knowledge. It is only a section of a division of the art of war. The study for officers is the art of war, specialising in Naval Strategy. The true method of procedure then is to get hold of a general theory of war, and so ascertain the exact relations of Naval Strategy to the whole. War is a form of political intercourse, a continuation of foreign politics which begins when force is introduced to attain our ends. OBJECTS. We seek our ends by directing force upon certain objects, which may be ulterior or immediate. Immediate objects (also called "Primary") are the ends of particular operations or movements. But it must be remembered that every primary object has also its ulterior object; that is, every operation must be regarded, not only from the point of view of its special object, but also as a step to the end of the campaign or war. Strategy is the art of directing force to the ends in view. Classified by the object it is Major Strategy, dealing with ulterior objects; Minor Strategy, with primary objects. This also means that every operation of an army or fleet must be regarded in a double light, _i.e._, it must be planned and conducted in relation (1) to the general progress of the war; (2) to the object to which it is immediately directed. Major Strategy (always regarding the ulterior object) has for its province the plan of the war, and includes: (1) Selection of the immediate or primary objects to be aimed at for attaining the ulterior object; (2) Selection of the force to be used, i.e., it determines the relative functions of the naval and military forces.