As early as 1889 he had been a lieutenant in the old Imperial yacht in which the Emperor made his first long cruises. On leaving the “Hohenzollern” in 1908 he was promoted to Rear-Admiral, and placed in charge of the second division of the First Squadron. In the following year he hoisted his flag as admiral of the cruiser squadron in China, whence he was recalled twelve months later to assume charge of the Second Battle Squadron in home waters. The commander-in-chief of the High Sea Fleet was then Admiral von Holtzendorff, who, after Grand-Admiral von Koester (the president of the Navy League), is considered to be the finest naval strategist in Germany. Under this officer the battle fleet is said to have increased remarkably in efficiency, both in regard to gunnery, seamanship, and general smartness. This period witnessed the introduction into the fleet of up-to-date shooting methods, and notably of long-range practice. In the manœuvres of 1912 the Second Squadron, commanded by Admiral von Ingenohl, was held to have scored a decisive success against a much stronger fleet, which included seven Dreadnought battleships, whereas his own squadron was composed of older and weaker ships. In January, 1913, Admiral von Holtzendorff hauled down his flag, and was succeeded by Admiral von Ingenohl as commander-in-chief. The leader of the German battle fleet has, therefore, held his present appointment for upwards of eighteen months, and it is to be supposed that he is thoroughly familiar with every unit of his fine force, especially as the ships in active commission spend more than nine months of the year at sea. The fleet certainly stands to benefit by this comparatively long period of single command. It will feel the confidence born of experience in its distinguished leader, and he in turn, knowing exactly what his ships can do, need fear no check to his plans by unsuspected defects in personnel or material. Whatever the near future may bring, it is certain that the German navy will put forth its utmost effort to fulfil the hope placed in it by the nation, and those who anticipate a cheaply purchased naval victory for us are laying up a rude disappointment for themselves. The material resources of the German fleet alone can give some idea of its formidability, but its potentiality will be incalculably increased if the leadership is of the high order which the reputation of the present commander-in-chief leads us to expect. CHAPTER VII OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FOREIGN NAVIES PERSONNEL OF THE NAVIES