Preparation matters more than impressive hardware

Roosevelt's closing claim is that practical training outweighs racial or national stereotypes in battle. The quotation uses the language of his period, but its conclusion rejects race as an explanation for performance among brave and intelligent sailors. Preparation is presented as the route to peace because untrained forces waste whatever capability they possess. Weapons and platforms remain necessary, yet leadership and practiced use determine whether those capabilities survive contact with an enemy. This helps explain why Roosevelt focused on training as much as ship acquisition and why the United States Navy entered the Spanish-American War comparatively ready for its role.