 In 1895 , Kaiser reinforced the East Asia Squadron , which also included the cruisers Irene and Prinzess Wilhelm and several smaller vessels . During the period of diplomatic tension between Britain and Germany caused by the Kruger telegram sent by Wilhelm II , Kaiser and several other overseas cruisers were ordered to return to German waters . This order was quickly reversed , as it was decided it would be seen as an act of weakness by Britain . In April 1896 , while entering the port of Amoy , Kaiser struck an uncharted rock . Only minor damage was done to the hull , but the ship was still out of service for twenty @-@ two days for repairs in Hong Kong . Kaiser served as the flagship of Rear Admiral Otto von Diederichs during his tenure as the squadron commander . Diederichs was tasked with locating a suitable concession to be used as the main port of the East Asia Squadron ; after surveying a number of sites aboard Kaiser , Diederichs settled on Kiautschou Bay . In the wake of two violent incidents against Germans in China , Wilhelm II gave Diederichs permission to seize Kiautschou by force in November 1897 . 
