The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1907-03-23

Since Germany began the race for
sea power in 1S9S-and it is not yet
nine years ago since the race began
abe has made rapid strides towards OBJ
taining a 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 it was incumbent on Ger
many to have fleet of such strength
that, even for the mightiest naval pow
or, war with her would involve risks
calculated to jeopardize its own SUI
premacy. The fleet that Germany
means to possess is nominally intend
sd for the protection of her oversee
trade and her colonies: but it is no
exaggeration to add that the posses
sion of SO battleships will enable the
German empire to have greater say
about world policy (Weltpolitik) than
vas 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 a 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 surprising
British Dreadnoughts in fighting quail
ties, as we'll as cruisers immensely SUI
pcrior 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 moth
ing, not yet anticipated, in the shape
Of further amendment should super.
vene to hinder it. The potential value
OF the contemplated German navy,
concentrated as it will be in the North
sea, is fully appreciated by Kaiser Viii
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 was Admiral
Won Tirpitz, the secretary of state of
the German imperial naval Office. he
also defended these measures before
the reichstag, and steered them
through the debates with considerable
skill Born March 10, 1919. at Custrin.
the son Of an eminent jurist who held
q high judicial post in that town. with
the title Observation-Disclosures Al
fred TirpitZ became a naval cadet in
1865, and was afterwards at the naval
academy from 1S74-76. He subsequent-
~ devoted much attention to the tor
pedO branch of the service, and is re-
spOnsible 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 floulla chief of the tor
pedo flotillas. Later he became chief
Of the staff 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 eminc0. tactician, and is the
author OF the rules for German naval
tactics as now in use in the navy.
In $50 he was promoted to the rank
q rear admiral, and became vice ad. +.
miral In 1899 During 1895 ana 1897
p commended the cruiser squadron
Fiji East Asia and was appointed ec.
rotary q state Of the imperial navy
Office Ia January, 1897 ii the follow
Ing year he was made a minister q
stats, an in 1901 received the asTedi.