Page:Paul Samuel Reinsch - Secret Diplomacy, How Far Can It Be Eliminated? - 1922.djvu/90

 personal influence to prevail on Nicholas. This time he succeeded, and the two sovereigns signed a secret treaty of alliance, which contained four articles to the following effect :

of the empires the allied party engages itself to aid with all its forces on land and sea. separate peace. the moment of conclusion of peace between Rus- sia and Japan, and may be denounced with one year's notice. sia will take the necessary steps to inform France and to propose to her to adhere to it as an ally.
 * 1) If any European state shall attack either
 * 1) The contracting parties will not conclude a
 * 1) The present agreement comes in force at
 * 1) When the treaty has come into force Rus-

On this occasion the Emperor was accompanied by Von Tschirsky, who soon after became German Foreign Minister and who countersigned the agreement. The Russian Foreign Minister was not present but Admiral Birileff, the Minister of the Navy, was called in to countersign the Czar's signature. After his return to St. Petersburg, the Czar allowed fifteen days to pass before informing Count Lamsdorff. When informed, the Czar's advisers took a very strong position against the agreement, with the result that notwithstanding