Russo-Italian Accord Concluded at Racconigi
- The policy of both governments, uninfluenced by any
aggressive tendencies, is directed to the maintenance of
the existing status quoin the region above mentioned
and to the defense of the principle of equal opportunity
for commerce and industry in Japan. - They are accordingly firmly resolved reciprocally to
respect the territorial possessions belonging to each
other in said region. - They are also determined to preserve the common
interests of all powers in China by supporting by all
pacific means at their disposal the independence and
integrity of China and the principles of equal opportu-
nity for commerce and industry of all nations in that
Empire. - Should any event occur threatening the status quoas
above described or the principle of equal opportunity,
as above defined, it remains for the two governments to
communicate with each other, in order to arrive at an
understanding as to what measures they may consider it
useful to take.
If the foregoing outline accords with the view of the govern-
ment of the United States, I shall be gratified to receive your
confirmation.
I take, etc.
K. TAKAHIRA.
Note from the Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambas-
sador
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, NOV. 30, 1908.
EXCELLENCY:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note
today, setting forth the result of the exchange of views between
us in our recent interviews, defining the understanding of the
two governments in regard to their policy in the region of the
Pacific Ocean.
It is a pleasure to inform you that this expression of mutual
understanding is welcome to the government of the United
States as appropriate to the happy relation of the two countries
and the occasion for a concise, mutual affirmation of that
accordant policy respecting the Far East which the two govern-
ments have so frequently declared in the past.
I am happy to be able to confirm to Your Excellency, on
behalf of the United States, the declaration of the two govern-
ments embodied in the following words:
(Here follows a declaration identical to that given by Baron
Takahira over the signature of Mr. Elihu Root.)
4.1214 Russo-Italian Accord Concluded at
Racconigi
Alliance Members:Russia and Italy
Signed On:October 24, 1909, in the city of Racconigi (Italy). In force
until November 8, 1917, when the Russian Revolution effectively
abrogated all treaties of tsarist Russia.
Alliance Type:Entente (Type III)
Source:Readings in European International Relations since 1879,p. 152.SUMMARY
European worries over the so-called Eastern Question would plague
the great powers all the way through the run-up to World War I. In
1909 Italy and Russia signed a secret agreement (often referred to as
the Racconigi Agreement) pledging the protection of the status quo in
the Balkans as well as promising future support for potential changes
to the status quo—namely, Russia’s desire to win access to the
Mediterranean by controlling the Bosporus and the Dardanelles and
Italy’s designs on Tripoli. Further terms of the treaty promised sup-
port for the new Yugoslavian state against attacks by the Young Turks
as well as the total secrecy of the agreement.
The understanding survived until the Bolshevik Revolution. Russia’s
separate peace with Germany led to Russia’s exit from the war in 1917.Description of Terms
- Russia and Italy agree to act together, in the mainte-
nance of the status quo in the Balkan Peninsula. - In any eventuality which may occur in the Balkans, they
agree to support the application of the principle of
nationality by the development of the Balkan States to
the exclusion of all foreign domination. - They agree to oppose by common action all activity
opposed to these ends; by “common action” is meant
diplomatic action, all action of a different sort being
simply reserved for a future understanding. - If Russia and Italy should wish to contract for Eastern
Europe new agreements with a third party besides those
which already exist, each would do so only with the par-
ticipation of the other. - Italy and Russia engage themselves to consider with
good will, the former, Russian interests in the question
of the Straits, the latter, Italian interests in Tripoli and
Cyrenaica.
4.1215 Convention in Regard to Manchuria
Alliance Members:Russia and Japan
Signed On:July 4, 1910, in the city of St. Petersburg. In force until
July 3, 1916, when it was succeeded by Alliance no. 4.1226.
Alliance Type:Entente (Type III)
Source:Treaties and Agreements with and Concerning China,
1919–1929,p. 803–804.
Additional Citations:Imperial Russia: A Source Book, 1700–1917,
p. 434–436.