Prime Minister about using submarine warfare offensively and defensively, he outlined how the use of submarines would revolutionise the war at sea. 202 The destruction of Russia as a naval power resulted in debate in Britain about the need for the two-power which aimed to have a larger fleet than the next two powers combined. 203 Following the Russo-Japanese war, the Germans put increasing effort into the creation of a fleet designed to rival that of the British Home Fleet. This resulted in Germany’s naval budget increasing from £7 million in 1900 to £20 million in 1910, an increase of 65%, whilst at the same time the army’s budget only increased by 25%. 204 This military build-up ultimately did not transcribe with the realities of modern naval warfare and was not to be repeated, this can be most clearly be seen at the battle of Jutland in the First World War where a clash of capital ships failed to produce a decisive outcome for either side. 205 In conclusion, there were numerous different lessons that could have been learnt from the Franco-Prussian War, the Boer War, and the Russo-Japanese War. Whilst many of these lessons later resulted in changing tactics and equipment, there were a great many lessons that were ignored or flawed conclusions drawn, such as that of the power of the battleship following the Battle of Tsushima or the necessity of a general staff. Many lessons were only adopted by those who could afford to alter their military strategies. Russia for example, could not apply many of the lessons from the Russo-Japanese war due to their near bankruptcy. For many of the lessons it took the First World War for entrenched prejudices to be expelled and new technology and thinking to be adopted. 202 Rotem Knowner The Impact Of The Russo-Japanese War . (London, Routledge, 2010).P.283 203 Ibid. P.271 204 Brian Bond P.54 205 Rotem Knowner 285
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