German shipbuilding program needed to be extended according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1899-1900 no. 9

An item referred to the magazine le Yacht reporting that despite the last year approved German shipbuilding program for 7 battleships in 7 years time (of which 2 as replacement) and 5-1st class cruisers its was believed that the fleet was still not strong enough to protect German interest all over the world. The intention was to add to the two already existing squadrons another two as reserve. Of the latter two was one to consist of small battleships for coast defence purposes while the other one 10 battleships and 2 large cruisers with at least 6 torpedo boats were to be built. Another six large cruisers were to be built to serve abroad. The earlier approved program was extended to 14 years ending in 1917. Until 1903 was each year one large ship to be built en between 1909 and 1917 at least 3 each year. The necessary small cruisers, gunboats and torpedo boats were not included in the minimum building numbers. The budget was increased from 75 tot 106 million mark en the extra ordinary costs from 11.250.000 to 21.250.000 mark. Danzig [Gdansk] was to be converted into a large naval base for which purpose grounds were bought while for the torpedo boats a separate harbour was ordered.