The whole problem was attacked in its entirety, and a general solution found; and after this, the various divisions and subdivisions of the problem were attacked and solved, in obedience to the same principles, in accordance with the results obtained at _Kriegspiel_.
If a very large and complicated engine of new pattern is to be built by any engineering company, no casting of the smallest kind is made until general plans have been outlined, detailed plans prepared from these, and then "working plans" made for the workmen.
From the working plans, the workmen construct the various parts; sometimes in number several hundred.

Finally, the whole intricate machine is put together, and the motive power applied.

Then all the parts, great and small, begin their allotted tasks, each part perfectly adapted to its work, not too large and not too small; all working together in apparent confusion, but in obedience to law--fulfilling exactly the will of the designing engineer.

So, the vast and new machine of the German navy was designed in the drafting-room of the _Kriegspiel_; and though it has been gradually strengthened and enlarged since then, each strengthening piece and each addition has been designed in accordance with the original plan, and has therefore harmonized with the original machine.

Thus the navy has expanded smoothly, symmetrically, purposefully.