The fact that each locality has advantages that the other does not have, suggests the idea that two bases, placed in those localities, would form a powerful combination.

In fact, the great value of the position of Culebra being its distance toward the enemy, which necessitates a great distance away from our continental coast, and a long line of communications from that coast suggest an intermediate base as a support and stepping-stone.

Analogous cases are seen in all the countries of Europe, in the fortresses that are behind their boundary-lines--the fortresses existing less as individuals than as supporting members of a comprehensive scheme.
Two bases, one at Guantanamo and one at Culebra, would in time of war in the Caribbean, add a value to our fleet that might make the difference between defeat and victory.

The effective work that a fleet can do is a function of the material condition of the ships themselves, and of the physical and mental condition of the personnel that man them.

Fighting is the most strenuous work that men can do; it calls for the last ounce of strength, the last effort of the intellect, the last struggle of the will; it searches out every physical imperfection in men, in ships, in engines, in joints, in valves.