the Kaiser had written the Czar around the end of 1904 suggesting an alliance between their two empires as the best way to safeguard European peace. France, as Russia’s ally, would virtually be obliged to join in, Wilhelm had pointed out to his cousin; the proposed Berlin-St. Petersburg axis would thus become in effect a new continental coalition against Britain, Russia’s hereditary rival in Asia. The immediate reaction had been disappointing to Wilhelm. The Czar had shown the letter to his ministers; they had consulted the French allies. The project was quietly pigeonholed while a discreet
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