Understanding between France and Russia
tolerate acts of coercion undertaken with this latter
object, under the form either of a military occupation or
of the despatch of volunteers; neither will Turkey, who
has by the treaties been constituted guardian of the
Straits, be able to cede any portion of her sovereign rights,
nor delegate her authority to any other power in Asia
Minor.- The desire of the three Powers to be associated with
Turkey for the common defence of these principles. - In case of Turkey resisting any illegal enterprises such as
are indicated in Article 5, the three Powers will immedi-
ately come to an agreement as to the measures to be taken
for causing to be respected the independence of the
Ottoman Empire and the integrity of its territory as
secured by previous treaties. - Should the conduct of the Porte, however, in the opinion
of the three Powers, assume the character of complicity
with or connivance at any such illegal enterprise, the three
Powers will consider themselves justified by existing
treaties in proceeding either jointly or separately to the
provisional occupation by their forces, military or naval,
of such points of Ottoman territory as they may agree to
consider it necessary to occupy in order to secure the
objects determined by previous treaties. - The existence and the contents of the present agreement
between the three Powers shall not be revealed either to
Turkey or to any other Powers who have not yet been
informed of it without the previous consent of all and
each of the three Powers aforesaid.
Foreign Office. December 12, 1887.
SALISBURY.
Italian Confirmation of the Agreement
As a result of the understanding reached between the Govern-
ments of His Majesty the King of Italy and of Their Majesties
the Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and the Queen of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland by the exchange
of Notes effected at London in the month of March, 1887, the
Government of His Majesty the King of Italy has come to an
agreement with the Governments of Austria-Hungary and
Great Britain as to the adoption of the following points,
intended to confirm the principles established by the aforemen-
tioned exchange of Notes, and to define the common attitude of
the three Powers in prospect of the eventualities which might
occur in the Orient.
[Articles I–9 of the Austrian Note are repeated here]
The undersigned Ambassador of His Majesty the King of
Italy has been instructed to sign the present Note and to
exchange it against an identic Note of the Government of His
Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary.
Vienna, December 16, 1887.
NIGRA.
3.1201 Understanding between France and Russia
Alliance Members:France and Russia
Signed On:August 27, 1891, in the cities of Paris and St. Petersburg.
In force until its replacement on December 27, 1893, by a mutual
defense pact.
Alliance Type:Entente (Type III)
Source:The Secret Treaties of Austria-Hungary 1879–1914,vol. 1,
p. 215.
Additional Citations:Key Treaties for the Great Powers, 1814–1914,
vol. 2, p. 633.SUMMARY
The persistence of the Triple Alliance linking the Central Powers of
Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy as well as the expiration of the
Reinsurance Treaty led France and Russia to deepen their ties in the
face of an increasingly unfavorable balance in Europe. With Britain
doing its best to remain free of major entanglements on the Conti-
nent, Russia and France agreed initially on this mutual understanding
to consult if conflict should erupt. This mutual understanding paved
the way for the signing of a defense pact between the countries a little
more than two years later.Exchange of Notes
M. de Mohrenheim, Ambassador of Russia at Paris, to M.
Ribot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, communicat-
ing the instructions of M. de Giers, Russian Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
Paris, August 15/27, 1891.
During my recent sojourn in St. Petersburg, whither I was
ordered by my August Sovereign, it pleased the Emperor to pro-
vide me with special instructions, set forth in the letter, sub-
joined in copy, which His Excellency, M. de Giers, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, addressed to me, and which His Majesty has
deigned to direct me to communicate to the Government of the
Republic.
In execution of this Supreme order, I am making it my press-
ing duty to bring this document to the knowledge of Your
Excellency, in the firm hope that its contents, previously con-
certed and formulated by common agreement between our two
Cabinets, will meet with the full approbation of the French
Government; and that you will be kind enough, Mr. Minister, in
conformity with the wish expressed by M. de Giers, to honor
me with a reply testifying to the perfect agreement fortunately
established from this time on between our two Governments.
The ulterior developments, of which the two points thus
agreed upon not only are susceptible, but which will form their
necessary complement, may be made the subject of confidential
and intimate conferences at the moment judged opportune by
either Cabinet, when they believe they can proceed to it at a
good time.
Holding myself for this purpose at the entire disposition of
Your Excellency, I am happy to be able to take advantage of such