The British naval visit to Kiel, although its final festivities were dimmed by the tragedy of Sarajevo, was a great success and gave fine proof of naval comradeship the world over and of German hospitality. The reception was was warm and sincere. It is not an empty convention that exalts Emperors and Kings to the highest rank in the armies and navies with which they compete and with which they sometimes come to blows. It is rather a symbol of brotherhood in arms—exhibited at Kiel alike when the Emperor William hoisted the flag of a British Admiral in the King George V, when Sir George Warrender and the President of the German Navy League exchanged enthusiastic speeches in Kiel Town Hall, and when the German and British bluejackets made merry ashore.
While the two Navies, then had pleasant occasion to improve their acquaintance and increase their respect for one another, there were no politics at Kiel. So absent were they that it was not considered inappropriate to announce in Berlin on June 28 that there is to be a still futher increase of the striking force of the German Navy and of Germany's naval representation abroad.
Go to timeline
