New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-01
MAN WHO BUILT
NAVY OF KAISER
Won Tirpitz, Who Heads German
North Sea Fleet, Has Per-
sOnal Hold on Emperor.

Fifty years ago a German lad named
Alfred TirpitZ left his simple home m
Kustrin-On-Oder. far from the salt
water. and went to answer the call
of the sda. He was sixteen years old
then. Just at the end Of his meagre
/ schooling. 4 place in his fathers law
Office held out no great allurement 20
him. Consequently, in 1864, he en-
listed as a simple cadet in the little
collection of frigates called by the
pretentious name of the Prussian navy.
To-day Alfred Tirpitz rs admiral OF
the GREAT German navy. As command
err of the feet iu rhe North Sea me is
on test as no other man n the world.
Practically all the years OF TINS man =
life. says THE Kansas City Times.
have been given 90 the realization Oh
one great plan q navy which ON me
dav of Germany's Trafalgar should
prove itself mistress OF the seas. me
memorable day Is at hand.
The war will decide whether the &C
complished dream of the kalser's
"plebeian minister" will bring glory to
the German Empire, or whether II VIII
dissolve into wreckage under the
bounding of French and British guns.
Already sufficient reverses have come
10 German ships to make the situation
critical. The fact OF superior num-
bers on the side of the Allies adds 20
the stress of the contest m when the
one-time simple Prusslan lad Is en-
gagged. In more ways than one u Is a
battle of the giants.
ShouId victory come 90 German
Nships. 20 Grand Admiral Won IlrplE
the honor viii be due lie Is the ere
H & . q
time fifty years ago when the Prus-
sian navy was mere handful of ObsO-
lete frigates the sea power of Ger
many has increased till it stands by
common consent at second place
among the nations Of the world. There
is none 20 contest the glory Of this
achievement. There have been help
ers. of course, but the programme was
formulated by Won Tirpitz. popular
lied by him In the face OF great public
opposition at times, and by him
worked out 10 such perfection that
there are many of authority who say
that he has built up naval power
equal 20 any In the world.
The career of NOr TIrpltL had laid
bare q great faliacy. 10 has been said
repeatedly that the German caste sys-
tom was unbreaka0le; one could not
rise from the ranks of a cOmmOner 20
an officer under the government. NoA
Tirpitz not only rose from the ranks.
but he rose with almost unprecedented
raDid.ty. Entering the navy as a cadet
al sixteen. he was Lieutenant 40
twenty, Lieutenant commander at
twenty-five. and then, after twenty
years of Sc vice, be was flying the flag
of rear admiral md was known as a
responsible 0Ihcer.
The greater responsibilities OF see
retary of std-e for the admiralty, VICE
admiral and admiral followed boo qulcN
succession Several times his name
has been mentioned iu connection with
the Office of imperial chancellor No
sucn appointment has been made, how
ever. and. perhaps 10 Is wei. for Ger
many. for now the greatest need ls for
q careful guidance Of the forces OF war
in action.
In the positions he has held Won
Tirpitz has been more powerful than
chancellors and ministers. lie mas had
q will Of his own, and he has dared TO
exercise this VIII even in the face Of
the kaiser's opposition.
The truth is the great admiral and
naval builder has AN air of convincing
itsolUteness that DIS not 20 be doubted.
He knows naval affairs. and his knOWl-
edge and energy have borne such Tee
suits that there gradually ceased 20 be
any gansaying Those VINO nave op-
posed him have done so 90 their own
hurt. He has taken toll in scalps for
all the sears which rivals and critics
Rave inflicted on him.
Once he had dreamed the dream of
a great German navy there could be
no halts in its accomplishment not
50 long as Won Tirpitz was at the head