Heaven gives the crown of victory to those only who by habitual preparation win without fighting, and at the same time forthwith deprives of that cro… - Tōgō Heihachirō

We naval men who have survived the war must take these examples deeply to heart, and adding to the training which we have already received our actual experiences in the war, must plan future developments and seek not to fall behind the progress of the time. If, keeping the instructions of our Sovereign ever graven on our hearts, we serve earnestly and diligently, and putting forth our full strength, await what the hour may bring forth, we shall then have discharged our great duty of perpetually guarding our country.

But our duties as naval men are not at all lightened for that reason. To preserve in perpetuity the fruits of this war; to promote to an ever greater height of prosperity the fortunes of the country, the navy, which, irrespective of peace or war, has to stand between the Empire and shocks from abroad, must always maintain its strength at sea and must be prepared to meet emergency.

The triumphs recently won by our Navy are largely to be attributed to the training which enabled us to garner the fruits of the fighting. If then we infer the future from the past, we recognize that though war may ceases we can not abandon ourselves to ease and rest.