EXAMPLE.--Boscawen's attack on De la Motte on the eve of the Seven Years War. NATURE OF OBJECT The solution of every strategical problem, whether of Major or Minor Strategy, depends primarily on the nature of the object in view. All objects, whether ulterior or not, may be positive or negative. A positive object is where we seek to assert or acquire something for ourselves. A negative object is where we seek to deny the enemy something or prevent his gaining something. Where the object is positive, Strategy is offensive. Where the object is negative, Strategy is defensive. EXAMPLE.--When Togo attacked Rojesvensky his primary object was offensive, _i.e._, to capture or destroy the Russian Fleet. His ulterior object was to maintain the defensive function which had been assigned to the Japanese Fleet. NOTES.--This is a good example of true defensive; that is, Togo's operations, though drastically offensive in action, were all strictly within the strategical defensive sphere assigned to him. The Offensive, being positive in its aim is naturally the more effective form of war (_i.e._, it leads more directly to a final decision), and, as a rule, should be adopted by the stronger Power. The Defensive, being negative in its aim, is naturally the stronger form of war; _i.e._, it requires less force, and, as a rule, is adopted by the weaker Power. NOTE.--The general truth of this proposition is not affected by apparent exceptions where the contrary appears to be true. _The Offensive must not be confused with the Initiative._ It is possible to seize the Initiative, under certain conditions, by taking a defensive position from which the enemy is bound to dislodge us or abandon the operation. In most cases where the weaker side successfully assumes the offensive, it is due to his doing so before the enemy's mobilization or concentration is complete, whereby the attacking force is able to deal in succession with locally inferior forces of the enemy. The advantages of the Offensive are well known. Its disadvantages are:-- (1) That it grows weaker as it advances, by prolonging its communications. (2) That it tends to operations on unfamiliar ground. (3) That it continually increases the difficulty of retreat. The advantages of Defence are chiefly:-- (1) Proximity to base. (2) Familiar ground. (3) Facility for arranging surprise by counter attack. NOTE.--In modern Naval warfare these advantages--that is, the advantages of fighting on your own ground--are specially high as giving greater facility for the use of mine and torpedo. The disadvantages are mainly moral or when the enemy's objective or line of operations cannot be ascertained, but this disadvantage can be neutralised when it is possible to secure an interior position. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DEFENSIVE. True Defensive means waiting for a chance to strike.