Meanwhile, the soldier-caste, the politician, and the tax-payer have to face the fact that the fortunes of war are very largely decided by humdrum costly preparations in time of peace.
The last chapter set forth the causes that led to war in 1870.

That event found Germany fully prepared.

The lessons of the campaign of 1866 had not been lost upon the Prussian General Staff.

The artillery was improved alike in _materiel_ and in drill-tactics, Napoleon I.'s plan of bringing massed batteries to bear on decisive points being developed with Prussian thoroughness.

The cavalry learnt to scout effectively and act as "the eyes and ears of an army," as well as to charge in brigades on a wavering foe.