Page "Imperial German Navy" Paragraph 52

Although Tirpitz had succeeded in getting more ships, the proportion of military expenditure on the navy declined in 1912 and thereafter, from 35 % in 1911 to 33 % in 1912 and 25 % in 1913.

This reflected a change in attitude amongst military planners that a land war in Europe was increasingly likely, and a turning away from Tirpitz's scheme for worldwide expansion using the navy.

In 1912 General von Moltke commented, " I consider war to be unavoidable, and the sooner the better.

" The Kaiser's younger brother, Admiral Prince Heinrich of Prussia, considered that the cost of the navy was now too great.

In Britain, Churchill announced an intention to build two capital ships for every one constructed by Germany, and reorganised the fleet to move battleships from the Mediterranean to channel waters.

A policy was introduced of promoting British naval officers by merit and ability rather than time served, which saw rapid promotions for Jellicoe and Beatty, both of whom had important roles in the forthcoming World War I.

By 1913 the French and British had plans in place for joint naval action against Germany, and France moved its Atlantic fleet from Brest to Toulon, replacing British ships.