ABSTRACT
The issues of cruiser warfare, the defence of commerce, and blockade are closely related. The British attitude to cruiser warfare could be summarised in a lofty comment by Major Cyril Field, RMLI, that It can never be any part of the policy of the premier Naval Power to give a Lead in what might be called 'warfare on the cheap'. VA Philip Howard Colomb's approach was historical, using the study of past wars to arrive at general rules. Julian Corbett regarded the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 as an exemplar, drawing explicit parallels with Wolfe's capture of Quebec in 1759, the Crimean War 1853-56, and aspects of the Peninsular War 1808-14. Corbett also believed that it was legitimate to bring economic pressure to bear from the outset of a war. The issue of trade protection was under continuous review throughout the decades to 1914, latterly in response to the threat from Germany.
