Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-25


 sea power in 1S9S-and it is not yet nine years ago since the race began she has made rapid strides towards ob. taining fleet of powerful battleships that will eventually only be second in Europe to the British fleet. In the preamble to the navy act of 1900 we read that 1t was incumbent on Ger many to have fleet of such strength that. even for the mightiest naval pow. CT, a war with her would involve risks calculated to jeopardize its own su- premacy. The fleet that Germany means to possess is nominally intend ed for the protection of her over-sea trade and her colonies; but it is no exaggeration to add that the posses sion of 3S battleships will enable the German empire to have greater say about world policy (Weltpolitik) than was contemplated under the first en- peror. This fact, taken in connection with the dictum of Kaiser Wilhelm H., "Our future lies on the water" has given rise to some sinister forebodings in England, and perhaps we should not be wrong in assuming that the intend ed concentration of new and power full fleet in the North sea has shifted the center of gravity of naval strength from the Mediterranean to those wa ters. Since the passing of the navy act of 1900, an amendment to the same received the sanction of the reichstag in 1906; and coincident herewith the reichstag further adopted the proposal of the German admiralty entirely to abandon the building of medium-sized battleships. and to construct great battleships. equal, If not surpassing British Dreadnoughts in fighting quail ties. as we'll as cruisers immensely SUI perior in size and armament to those hitherto laid down in German yards.
 The German navy is a new creation, but its growth up to the year 1917 will assuredly continue on the lines ap- proved and published. provided noth- ing, not yet anticipated. in the shape of further amendment should super vene to hinder 1t. The potential value of the contemplated German navy, concentrated as it will be in the North sea, is fully appreciated by Kaiser VII helm. by the secretary of state of the German imperial navy. as we'll as by our own naval authorities.
 The intellectual author of the navy laws of 1898 and 1900. and of the amendment act of 1906 wey Admiral von Tirpitz. the secretary of state of the German imperial naval ofiice. He also defended these measures before the reichstag. and steered them through the debates with considerable skill. Born March 1s. 1s4s. at Custrin. the son of an eminent jurist who held a high judicial post in that town, with the title Ober-Landesgerichtsrath, Al. fred Tirpitz became a naval cadet in 1865. and was afterwards at the naval academy from lsI4-76. He subsequent ly devoted much attention to the tor pedo branch of the service. and is re- sponsibie for modern German torpedo organization and the tactical use of torpedoes in the German navy. He was inspector of torpedo service. and was the first fotilla chief of the tor. pedo notillas. Later he became chief of the stan of the naval station in the Baltic and of the supreme command of the German navy. He has made several long sea voyages. is regarded as an eminent tsetician. and is the author of the rules for German naval tactics as now in use in the navy.
 In 1893 he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral. and became vice ad- miral in 1899. During 1896 and Iss7 he commanded the cruiser squadron in East Asia. and was appointed sec retsry of state of the imperial navy os,ee in January. rse5. In the follow trg year he was made a minister of lssate. and in 1901 received the heredi-