The German navy, in contrast to the army, is a purely imperial institution—­an institution, according to the Constitution, “entirely under the chief command of the Kaiser,” consequently in no respect administered or controlled by the federated kingdoms and states.  One speaks of the “royal” army, but of the “imperial” navy.  The Emperor is officially described as the navy’s “Chef,” superintends its organization and disposition, with his brother Prince Henry as Inspector-General, and appoints its officials and officers.  He exercises his functions through the Marine Cabinet, a creation of his own, which serves as a connecting link between the Emperor and the Admiralty.

The legislative stages of the growth of the German navy have so far been five in number.  The first Navy Law passed the Reichstag on third reading, on March 28, 1898, 212 members voting for it and 139 against, in a Parliament of 397 members.  It provided for the building of a fleet of seventeen battleships within a certain time, and fixed the age of the ships at twenty-five years.  The new ships were divided into ships-of-the-line (a new designation), large armoured cruisers, and small armoured cruisers.  This fleet, however, was not large enough to have any influence on sea politics or seaborne trade, and the occurrences of the Spanish-American War, just now begun and finished, determined the Emperor to make further proposals.  A great agitation for the navy was started throughout the Empire, and on January 25, 1900, Admiral Tirpitz laid the second Navy Bill (a “Novelle,” as it is called) before the Reichstag.

The new measure demanded a doubling of the fleet.  The first fleet was intended chiefly with a view to coast defence, while the new fleet was to assure “the economic development of Germany, especially of its world-commerce.”  If the first Navy Bill had excited surprise and uneasiness in England, the sensations roused by the second may be imagined, not altogether because of the increase of German naval power, but of the power that would result when the new German navy was combined with the navies of Germany’s allies of the Triplice.  The third Navy Bill was a consequence of the Russo-Japanese War and of the lesson taught by the sea-fight of Tsuschima.  It was laid before the Reichstag on November 28, 1905, for “a stronger representation of the Empire abroad.”  Its main object was to increase by almost one-half the size of the battleships, thus following the lead of England, which had decided on the new and famous “Dreadnought” class of vessel, remarkable for its five revolving armoured turrets (instead of two previously) and the number of its heavy guns.  Hitherto English warships had had an average tonnage of about 14,000 tons:  the tonnage of the original “Dreadnought” was 18,300 tons.  Notwithstanding the enormous nature of the financial demand (L47,600,000 within eleven years) the Reichstag passed the Bill on May 19, 1905.  A torpedo fleet of 144 boats, in 24 divisions, was additionally provided for in this Bill.