 In May 1898 , Diederichs sent Kaiser to Nagasaki for periodic maintenance . The Spanish – American War , which saw action in the Philippines at the Battle of Manila Bay , necessitated a German naval presence in the area to protect German nationals . Kaiser was still in Nagasaki undergoing repairs , so Diederichs ordered her and Prinzess Wilhelm , also in dock for maintenance , to meet him in Manila as soon as was possible . Crew transfers during the repair process necessitated Irene and Cormoran to meet in Manila as well ; this concentration of five warships in the Philippines caused a serious crisis with the American Navy . Rear Admiral George Dewey objected to the size of the German force and to a meeting between Diederichs and Governor General Augustin , the Spanish governor of the Philippines . The German naval forces left the Philippines after the fall of Manila in August , though tensions with the United States continued for some time after . 
