Page:Diplomacy revealed.djvu/36

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DESPATCHES—1905
9

demonstration, in the form of visits interchanged by the squadrons of the two nations on the lines of what took place in 1893, when the Russian Fleet went to Toulon to set the seal upon (affirmer) Franco-Russian friendship.[1]

Believe me, etc.,
(Signed) DE LALAING.

KING EDWARD AND M. DELCASSÉ.

No. 4.Monsieur A. Leghait, Belgian Minister at Paris,
to Baron de Favereau, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Paris, May 7, 1905.

Your Excellency,

The King of England's presence in Paris, at a time when the air is still electrified by events at Tangier, is significant. Whilst attentively noting its significance, however, one must not attach too great importance to it. The King's engagements did not necessitate his staying in Paris just now, and if he has chosen to do so it is obviously in order to give France at this moment a new proof of friendship, and to emphasise the solidarity that prevails between the parties who signed the agreement of April 8, 1904. This solidarity has, in fact, been clearly and strongly, but unostentatiously affirmed, without any toasts or public demonstrations. The King, however, has not confined himself to expressing his sentiments, and views to M. Delcassé and other French politicians; he has also taken care that the Court of Berlin should be informed of them, and to this effect he had a long talk with the German Ambassador after the dinner at the Elysée, and appears to have used very plain language to him. The gist of this important conversation was communicated to M. Delcassé, but secrecy is maintained as to the actual words that passed.

The state of nervous tension that prevails here is maintained by the determined silence which Germany preserves, in spite of M. Delcassé's offer of clearing up all misunderstandings by a discussion. People are asking themselves when and how an end will be put to the present false situation. Only yesterday Prince Radolin[2] was received by M. Delcassé. He laid himself out to be

  1. The Franco-Russian military Convention was signed in August, 1892.
  2. German Ambassador.