What had happened in the meantime? This: the outbreak of the Boer War had generated in Germany an absolutely unprecedented hostility to Great Britain, which was afterwards roused to white heat by the seizure of the mail steamer _Bundesrat_ and other German vessels on the African coast. Admiral von Tirpitz had a unique opportunity such as was never likely to present itself to him again. He made prompt and full use of it, and while Great Britain was in the thick of the embarrassments of the early stages of the South African War, the great Navy Bill of 1900 was passed into law. The seizure of the German vessels was admitted by the British Government to have been a blunder. An apology was tendered to Germany on account of it, and promises made that similar incidents should not recur. The action of the British warships did nothing but harm, and would certainly never have been taken if the Foreign Office in London had been properly informed on the situation in Germany by its representatives in Berlin, and had itself kept the Admiralty fully posted. Consequently, in the spring of 1900, the Act of 1898 was replaced by a new one, in face of all Admiral von Tirpitz's protestations of two years before. _This measure set up an establishment of almost twice the size of the former one, and embraced ships intended for battle purposes on the high seas._ During the discussion of the measure in the Reichstag the Centre Party compelled the Government to modify their original scheme, and to drop five large and five small cruisers for service on foreign stations, while the reserve of cruisers was reduced by one large and two small vessels. In the course of the debate the Naval Secretary announced that, while the Government were compelled to agree to the amendment of their proposals, they still insisted upon the necessity of providing the original number of ships for duty in foreign seas, but would agree to postpone the final settlement of the question until a subsequent date. In its final form, as it received the approval of the Reichstag and of the Emperor, and as it was published in the _Imperial German Gazette_ of June 20th, 1900, the Bill set up the following establishment for the Fleet: The Battle Fleet. 2 fleet flagships. 4 squadrons, each of 8 battleships. 8 large cruisers for scouting purposes. 24 small cruisers for scouting purposes. Foreign Fleet. 3 large cruisers. 10 small cruisers. Reserve. 4 battleships. 3 large cruisers. 4 small cruisers.