SHOULD HAVE HIT FRANCE IN 1887.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1918, Page 2

SHOULD HAVE HIT FRANCE IN 1887.

KAISER REGRETTED WAITING SO ' ■ * LONG. Documents establishing tlie pacific and purely defensive nature of the alliance between France and Russia are published in the Yellow Book distributed in the \ Chamber of Deputies (stated the Paris correspondent of a Canadian paper on 2toh September). The early negotiations showed that both Emperor Alexander of Russia and General Boisdeffer, tilie French representative, insisted opon the pacific character of the convention. The Emperor Alexander hesitated somewhat at the outset, fearing the partisans, out of revenge for the war of 1870, might precipitate a new conflict. The first conversations becoming known i in Berlin, the German Emperor became concerned. He is reported in one document as "regretting not having attacked France in 1887." M. Montebello. the French Ambassa. dor to Russia, finally announced the: agreement in a dispatch to M. Ribot. Foreign Minister, on oth March, 1802, paying, "The principle of reciprocal assistance and simultaneous mobilisation is accepted." It was stipulated that France and Russia would mobilise their forces only if the Triple Alliance mobilised first. The convention was finally concluded on 18th December, 1893, and wa3 preceded by the famous reception to the Russian marines in Paris.