Headquarters of Commander-in-Chief at Kovno
This was of paramount importance to us on account of the importation of iron ore from Sweden.
The Navy fulfilled a part of its duties in maintaining the freedom of the Baltic. This enabled the Commander-in-Chief in the East to establish communication between Libau and the German harbours in the Baltic, which was of the utmost importance for the supply of our troops in Courland. In addition to to this the Fleet practised in the West Baltic.
The bulk of our Fleet was in the North Sea protected by our bases at the mouth of the Elbe, Heligoland and Wilhelmshaven. We ought to have sought a decisive battle at the beginning of the war. This, indeed, was the desire of Grand Admiral von Tirpitz, though he did not sufficiently insist upon it. Only by this means could we hope to defeat the enemy plans, of which we had no clear idea. After the English naval manoeuvres of 1910-11, there were signs that England contemplated an extensive blockade. It was in defiance of international law, and could only be carried out provided that neutrals, particularly the United States, tolerated it.
England avoided battle, though the British had everything to gain by venturing upon it. Tradition, her strength and the war situation should have urged her to it. Had England won such a battle, she would have made it almost impossible for us to import iron from Sweden and the submarine warfare could never have assumed proportions so dangerous to herself. Great Britain preserved her Fleet for political reasons. She realized that a battle with the German Fleet might cost her not.only her place in the world, but also her prestige among her Allies and even at home. The other reasons put forward, such as the dearth of docks on the East Coast, to enable her to effect swift repairs after battle, are not convincing. It is not to the credit of England's proud Navy that she refrained from giving battle.
The naval action in the Heligoland Bight on August 28th, 1914, was of no strategical importance. Our cruisers were attracted by the love of adventure. Our Fleet was more enterprising than that of the enemy. We bombarded the English
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