4. I Spy

William Taft was the President of the United States from 1909 until 1913 and had been Secretary of War from 1904 to 1908. He therefore had a keen interest in what was happening in Europe and the sabre rattling that seemed to be happening. His main concerns centred on the treaties that had been signed between various European powers and also some Asian countries such as Japan.

July 1^st 1910

Confidential Report to Rear Admiral Eugene Leutze

Dear Sir,

I have begun to accumulate some useful intelligence, which I believe could be useful to you. I would like to firstly address the history of the various alliances that exist in Europe.

Triple Entente:

French and Russian diplomatic relations gradually developed through the late 1890s, and the Franco-Russian alliance of 1894 strengthened ties between the two countries. Anglo-French rivalry ended and cordial terms were established between Britain and France in 1904, when the two countries signed the Entente Cordiale.

Britain and Russia signed the Anglo-Russian Entente on August 31, 1907, at Saint Petersburg, Russia, ending traditional territorial conflict and defining the boundaries of Afghanistan, Tibet, and Persia. The alliance between France, Britain, and Russia that crystallized out of these three pacts is referred to as the Triple Alliance. It forms the backbone of the Allied Powers.

Triple Alliance:

The Dual Alliance as you would be aware was the treaty signed by Austria-Hungary on October 7, 1879. The alliance promised mutual support in case of a Russian attack. Italy, having lost the rivalry with France with regard to establishing the colony in Tunis, joined Germany and Austria-Hungary to form the Triple Alliance in 1882. Italy viewed the alliance as a guarantee against the invasion of Austria–Hungary, a rival nation. Italy also signed a guarantee of neutrality with Britain and later signed a similar guarantee pact with France.

In 1902 Britain made a naval treaty with Japan.

All the countries in the two alliances are building their armed forces at an alarming rate.

Germany - 2,200,000 soldiers - 97 Warships

Austria-Hungry - 810,000 soldiers - 28 Warships

Italy - 750,000 soldiers - 36 Warships

France - 1,125,000 soldiers - 62 Warships

Russia - 1,200,000 soldiers - 30 Warships

Britain - 711,000 soldiers - 185 Warships

Some military analysts believe in a time of war these countries with the help of reservists could dramatically lift their numbers. An estimate is:

Germany: 8.5 million men

Austria-Hungary: 3 million

Great Britain 1.5 million

Russia: 4.4 million

France: 3.5 million

There is no possible reason for such a build up other than to wage war. I firmly believe the Triple Alliance is on a war footing looking for an excuse to invade France.

Yours truly,

Captain Joseph Doherty