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Introduction |
1 |
Changing fortunes |
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Britains
strategical interest in the Mediterranean following the opening of the Suez Canal
the French threat the propagation of naval scares naval expenditure is
increased the Naval Defence Act of 1889 the Mediterranean debates of the
1890s the dissipation of the French threat Fisher as C-in-C, Mediterranean
the necessity for economy Fisher is appointed First Sea Lord. |
2 |
The Fisher Factor |
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The
perils of taking Fisher at face value his inconsistency Fishers remit
the elimination of the French and Russian threats French policy in Morocco
Fishers preference for Alexandria the constant redistribution of the
British Fleet the Anglo-French Entente the first Moroccan crisis
Russias defeat the naval centre of gravity moves north the inception
of the battle cruiser new methods of fire control. |
3 |
Bigger Guns and Greater Speed |
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The
example of the Russo-Japanese War the importance of long-range gunnery the
threat posed by the torpedo real or imagined? the tactical advantage of
speed finding a suitable rôle for the battle cruiser the German response to
the new class renewed calls for economy the Mediterranean fleet is halved. |
4 |
Foreign Entanglements |
|
The
threat from Germany the Committee of Imperial Defence its objects
Admiralty hegemony the formulation of War Plans to assist the French the
Navys plan is found wanting a change of Government an innocent
discussion group a fortuitous meeting while riding the military
correspondent of The Times the Army view prevails an interview with the
French Ambassador the great question Sir Edward Grey authorizes
Anglo-French Staff Talks Cabinet debate is denied who knew what and when?
the influence of the Under-Secretary a sanguine appraisal Fisher
rejects the military strategy the moral force created by the Entente a bribe
for Germany? the heckling of the French Senator the awkward question. |
5 |
Plans of War |
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Fisher
attempts to quell his critics the subsequent naval War Plans Beresford finds
fault the War Plans controversy continues the clamour for a Naval War Staff
the threat of war in 1908 the Invasion Sub-Committee Fishers
unexpected reaction the Tweedmouth letter the international situation
Anglo-French naval talks the "three conventions" the French
reaction the entrenchment of the Continental Strategy the great naval scare
of 1909 and its aftermath. |
6 |
A New Enemy |
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The
Mediterranean naval race and its implications French reactions the great
Fisher-Beresford feud an Asquithian compromise agitation for a Naval War
Staff increases Fishers tenure ends Admiral Wilson is appointed First
Sea Lord his faults the Anglo-Russian entente Empire or encirclement?
the Straits question a difficult year in the life of the Liberal Government
the resumption of Anglo-German naval conversations. |
7 |
Agadir |
|
The
origins of the crisis the British position in the Mediterranean Churchill
enters the debate Admiral Wilson is unconcerned the conciliatory approach of
Grey the subsequent flare-up Lloyd George speaks his mind were
British interests affected? the German Ambassadors fury tension eases
the Continental commitment outlined Haldanes secret initiative
the C. I. D. pronounces on strategy Admiral Wilsons lamentable performance
the inept naval alternative. |
8 |
The Right of Free Choice |
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Asquith
determines on changes at the Admiralty Haldanes longing for the position
a second suitor the ramifications of Admiral Wilsons performance
Anglo-French naval talks are re-activated increasing French confidence
the French centre of gravity moves south the mania for secrecy
Asquiths concern the militarization of the "Terrible Twins"
policy is dictated by considerations of strategy fear of French military weakness
and the position of Belgium Churchill stakes his claim for the Admiralty the
influence of Henry Wilson the Radicals fight back all change at the
Admiralty a confrontation in the Cabinet. |
9 |
Churchill Arrives |
|
The
revivification of Fisher the formation of a Naval War Staff its defects
Churchill determines on a new First Sea Lord the Turco-Italian War
Fisher and Alexandria once more Churchills renewed interest in the
Mediterranean naval situation a French rebuff Battenbergs unease
the finalization of the Naval War Staff the German novelle
Churchills attempt to bypass the Committee of Imperial Defence the plan to
withdraw the Mediterranean battleships. |
10 |
"We cannot have everything or be strong everywhere" |
|
The
Haldane mission proposals and counter-proposals Churchills unhelpful
intervention the Anglo-German talks fail French suspicion the
Mediterranean to be evacuated the Naval Holiday the proposed recasting of
the fleet the Foreign Office becomes involved Sir Arthur Nicolson is let in
on a secret an alliance with France? the War Office reaction. |
11 |
The Malta Compromise |
|
A
small victory for the Cabinet the summer cruise of Asquith and Churchill
Admiral Beattys idea the Malta meetings Churchill overcomes Kitchener
Kitchener enlists Greys help Churchill tries to overcome the Cabinet
a job for the battle cruisers McKenna fights back the question of
figures who was right? Churchill marshals his support Sir Arthur
Nicolsons cold feet. |
12 |
The Numbers Game |
|
The
C.I.D. sits in judgment a loose compromise Esher is elated, Churchill
deflated a trap for the Canadians the Canadians escape the
dispositions for the Mediterranean are set the pliable Admiralty the
Franco-Russian Naval Convention Churchills new initiative the private
and public stances of the Admiralty formal Anglo-French conversations. |
13 |
The Obligation |
|
The
Austrian enigma Poincaré spins a web Churchill holds out for freedom of
action the problem of finding a successor to Admiral Troubridge the French
move their battleships from Brest the relentless French pressure Italian
machinations complications in the Mediterranean the Grey-Cambon letters
the question of command naval reaction to the First Balkan War
Bridgeman is outmanoeuvred Battenberg fulfils an ambition. |
14 |
The Polarization of the Mediterranean |
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A
lack of resources the Algerian Corps in French plans the first British
battle cruiser arrives the completion of the technical Anglo-French arrangement
Battenbergs cloak and dagger Mediterranean War Orders Admiral
Milnes friendly advice Churchills Mediterranean diversions the
Adriatic position the renewal of the Triple Alliance Naval Convention the
questionable naval co-operation of Italy and Austria-Hungary a British naval
demonstration is required Beatty wants his ships back Churchills
estrangement from the C.I.D. flaws in the Naval War Staff Italian duplicity
Grey does not rise to the bait San Giuliano cries "wolf". |
15 |
Naval Estimates and the Question of Substitution |
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Churchill
and the policy of Dreadnought substitution the storm over the 1914-15 Estimates
Lloyd George speaks his mind again his estrangement from Churchill
the Canadian dreadnoughts fail to make up the shortfall Churchills flexible
Mediterranean policy Asquith intervenes Lloyd George compromises the
submarine question the future for Dreadnoughts. |
16 |
The Limitations of Foreign Policy |
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Faulty
intelligence Churchill redeems his pledge the question of substitution once
more a source on ready-made Dreadnoughts the evolution of tactics
French strength the French attempt to cement the bond an initial lack of
co-operation Milne to be responsible for Goeben Sazonov renews his approach
Britains hand is forced preliminary Anglo-Russian talks are instigated
a diplomatic leak Grey is discomfited German knowledge of the talks. |
17 |
"Before the unknown" |
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The
British pledge to France and its implications the onset of the crisis Ulster
dominates the growing awareness Greys proposal for a Conference
localizing the conflict the question of Belgian neutrality the Cabinet
hedges its bets the Continent mobilizes a shameless German proposal
the naval situation Churchill pre-empts the Cabinet the embargo of the
Turkish Dreadnoughts. |
18 |
"Mon petit papier" |
|
Greys
painful interview with the French Ambassador the position of the
permanent officials at the Foreign Office Churchills intrigue
Cambons allegation Saturdays Cabinet and Greys unusual initiative
a misunderstanding Greys threat to go Lloyd George refuses to
take the Radical whip the issue of Belgian neutrality becomes paramount
Cambon goes on the attack the outcome of the embargo Greys
fixation with the English Channel German naval operational plans
the future of the Liberal Party. |
19 |
The Decision for War |
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The
unprecedented Sunday Cabinet Grey argues for a pledge to France the Cabinet
is split the conversion of the middle section Asquiths reasoning
Grey controls the agenda Italian neutrality and the Mediterranean position
Greys pledge to Cambon the problem of Goeben and Breslau and the French troop
transportation the excuse of Belgium Samuels exaggerated
rôle the cynical policy of Lloyd George. |
20 |
"A terrible business" |
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Cabinet
resignations the army is neglected an emotional scene in the Cabinet
Grey prepares for his speech the atmosphere in the House Grey rises to speak
his lengthy defence of his policy Grey carries the House loud and
prolonged cheers Churchills immediate reaction the question of Cabinet
unity Goeben and Breslau are sighted Churchill is restrained the
moral force of the Grey-Cambon letters Greys responsibility. |
21 |
Summary and conclusions |
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Bibliography |
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Index |