Until the Kaiser's visit, France, with more or less right, considered
herself protector general of all Mohammedans. From now on this began
to change. The immediate result of the Emperor's visit was a close
understanding between the Wilhelmstrasse and the Sublime Porte. The
buying of vast quantities of guns, ammunition, and the influx of
Prussian officers and drilling instructions, besides huge orders of
all sorts of German goods was significant.
The always uneasy jealousy of France and Russia was at once aroused,
England, in this instance, not taking any decided stand in affairs.
England had spent many lives and much money, notably in the Crimean
War, to keep Russia out of Turkey and was averse to encouraging
Russo-French influences at the Sublime Porte. How far England would
like either Germany or France to acquire control of the Dardanelles
remains to be seen. With Russia, it has been bloody wars and grim
struggles since the days of Catherine, misnamed the Great, to
gaincontrol of the Dardanelles. Unceasing intrigues have been and are
still going on in Stamboul. Russia's influence has been steadily
undermined by Germany, in Turkey and Asia Minor. Since the disastrous
campaign against Japan, Russia has made strenuous efforts to recoup
her sphere of influence through her coalition of the principal Balkan
States. Of this you will learn later.
Germany, always including Austria (the external policy of both
countries on all these questions is synonymous), found French-Russian
influences at work.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84