ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the atmosphere of opinion in which the German Government moves, which considers the actual course of German policy during the critical years, that preceded the war. The policy admitted and open is one of "expansion". It seems to be rather widely supposed that Germany is preparing war in order to annex territory in Europe. The contempt of German imperialists, from Treitschke for the rights of small States, the racial theories includes in "German" territory that include Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries which seems to give colour to this idea. In estimating the meaning of the German naval policy, is a complex series of motives and conditions: the genuine need of a navy and a strong one to protect trade in the event of war and to secure a voice in overseas policy which is the genuine fear of an attack by the Powers of the Entente.
