Note 256 — Chapter VI

When Russo-Japanese relations became strained early in 1901, Lansdowne asked Monson whether he thought “that France is under any engagement to take part on the side of Russia in the event of war, or that without such obligation she would attempt to do so” (Lansdowne to Monson, March 8, 1901, B.D., II, 40, No. 49). Monson replied that he did not know whether the Dual Alliance laid down the obligation of military aid outside of Europe, and that while the French people showed little zeal for far eastern affairs, yet nationalistic hatred against Great Britain might be aroused at any time and might make the French stand uncertain (Monson to Lansdowne, March 13, 1901, ibid., 44 f., No. 56). The Franco-Russian declaration of 1902 in reply to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance stated that the Dual Alliance was extended to the Far East, although a few days later Delcassé cast doubt upon the significance of this engagement. While French public opinion was opposed to becoming involved in the Far East for the sake of Russia, yet this ambiguity left the French position in case of a war in doubt (see above).