Although the German Navy has developed rapidly in recent years, its disadvantages compared to established maritime powers remain glaringly apparent. To say nothing of other factors, Germany is severely outnumbered in capital ships. Should conflict arise, the consequences would be dire.
After hearing the words of Admiral von Tirpitz, the German leadership felt deeply disheartened. In such a precarious position, demanding the navy to break the British blockade was evidently an unreasonable expectation.
Crown Prince Wilhelm, like a defeated rooster, hung his head in silence. It dawned on him that he had been overly optimistic regarding Germany's military strength; the capabilities of Germany's enemies should not be underestimated.
"Gentlemen, there is no doubt that our enemies possess formidable military power, and the gap between us is considerable. While we are indeed striving to catch up, surpassing them will require significant time. Thus, for now, we must do everything possible to avoid conflict," proclaimed Wilhelm II.
Given Wilhelm II's obstinate nature, had victory been assured, he would not have chosen restraint. It was precisely his awareness of the slim chances of success in war that led to his reluctant patience.
"Who would have thought the disparity between our navy and the British would be so great? Clearly, we need to increase our investment in the navy. If the German Navy could rival the British, would they still dare to support the French so audaciously?" Wilhelm II mused inwardly.
The swift development of the German Navy, which even instilled a sense of crisis in the maritime hegemon Britain, was largely due to Wilhelm II's robust backing. However, the late start posed significant challenges to his ambitions of surpassing the British Navy.
Suddenly, Wilhelm II recalled that the Deutsche Werft was undergoing expansion, with new battleships set to commence construction shortly. He was well aware of Qin Tian's recent initiatives. After investing heavily in the Deutsche Werft, Qin Tian had partnered with Krupp to supply armor and large-caliber main guns, while also arranging for Sulzer Boiler Company to provide fuel boilers, and establishing the Deutsche Engine Manufacturing Company. All these efforts undoubtedly laid the groundwork for the new battleships.
Wilhelm II felt a mix of admiration and gratitude for Qin Tian's remarkable achievements. He had never anticipated that his most disregarded son, whom he once thought would lead a life of idleness, would exhibit such exceptional talent, overshadowing even his other sons. Were it not for Wilhelm being his eldest, Wilhelm II might have deemed Qin Tian more suitable as the heir to the empire.
Of course, such thoughts were fleeting. Wilhelm II could not strip Wilhelm of his birthright unless the latter were incapable of fulfilling his duties as heir—whether through grave illness or untimely death. Otherwise, upon Wilhelm II's passing, Wilhelm would inevitably ascend as Emperor of the German Empire.
"Your Majesty, given the current circumstances, our odds of victory in war appear minimal. I believe we should exercise restraint," suggested Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow.
Though a hard truth to accept, the reality was undeniable. Despite their dissatisfaction, for the greater good, they had no choice but to endure.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Our temporary restraint is a strategy for the time when we can ultimately vanquish our foes," added von Moltke.
Although the German army was formidable, it could not stand alone without naval support.
Wilhelm II nodded. "Very well, let us proceed as such for now! On the Moroccan issue, we must strive to avoid escalating tensions further. However, we must not show weakness outwardly, lest they take further advantage. Additionally, our interests in Morocco must be safeguarded as best as we can."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" everyone replied.
Regarding the Moroccan crisis, Qin Tian paid little heed, for he already knew the outcome. Although Germany's stance grew increasingly assertive, even deploying heavy troops along the border, discerning minds recognized this as mere bluster.
With the backing of Britain and Russia, the French felt emboldened, responding in kind to Germany's tough posture, which only heightened the tensions across Europe.
On November 18, 1905, the expansion of the Deutsche Werft was completed. By recruiting a plethora of engineers and skilled workers, the facility had nearly accumulated the necessary technical expertise for constructing large warships, lacking only practical experience.
The following day, Qin Tian arrived at the Deutsche Werft to preside over the commencement ceremony for the Nassau-class battleships. Four battleships were simultaneously launched on four large slipways.
Naturally, due to technological and experiential constraints, the construction pace at the Deutsche Werft would be somewhat slower. Yet, should they master the relevant techniques during this build, concerns would dissipate.
Qin Tian set a deadline for Brut to ensure that all four battleships were launched by November 1907.
If his memory served him correctly, the British Navy's Dreadnought officially entered service on December 3, 1907, after extensive testing of its new equipment. The Germans were expected to acquire intelligence on the Dreadnought before its commissioning. If the Nassau-class battleships could launch by that time, it would be an invigorating development for the German Navy, allowing it to embrace the Nassau-class as its next principal vessel without issue.
In January 1906, the Algeciras Conference convened. With British and Russian support for France, the conference concluded with a treaty favorable to France, acknowledging Moroccan independence while affirming French and Spanish police authority over Morocco. However, France promised that Germany's interests in Morocco would be protected, allowing German capital access.
News of this agreement ignited fervor among the German populace.
Under immense pressure, the German parliament revised the Naval Law, leading to the first amendment. This amendment stipulated that the German Navy's shipbuilding budget would rise to 940 million marks over the next decade, with plans to construct two battleships and one large cruiser (battlecruiser) annually starting the following year. By 1917, the German Navy would boast a powerful fleet consisting of 38 battleships, 20 large cruisers, and 38 small cruisers. This marked a pivotal moment in Germany's challenge to maritime supremacy and a robust response to the "Algeciras disgrace"—the German public could not afford to point fingers at Wilhelm II's strategic miscalculations, instead attributing the setback to the overreach of British and Spanish interference. If Germany had a fleet capable of rivaling the Royal Navy, such tragedies would not occur. The Algeciras resolutions had severely undermined German interests in Morocco and wounded the growing national pride of the Germans, compelling everyone—from capitalists to military personnel and civilians—to advocate for expedited naval development.