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Conflict and Change
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The Naval Arms Race
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Seeking alliances
Seeking alliances
Due to increasing concerns for security Britain began to seek alliances with other nations in the event of a war.
Its alliance with Japan in 1902 not only secured an ally in the event of being attacked by the combined fleets of other nations, but also secured Britain’s interests in the Far East. This enabled the Royal Navy to use the surplus ships to bolster the Channel and surrounding fleets.
Togo's men at the Hard. Japanese Sailors in Portsmouth, 1905. (RNM)
There was increasing concern on the home front following the Boer War on Britain’s ability to supply food to the nation in a time of war. As ‘guardian of the seas’ it was the Royal Navy’s role to ensure that trade routes to the country were not threatened.
Below is a diagram produced by The Association to Promote an Official Enquiry into the Security of our Food Supply in a Time of War, a British group of highly influential people, including many high-ranking naval officers.
Sources of Food Supply of the United Kingdom 1901. Diagram showing Britain's biggest trade routes for wheat imports. (RNM)
The diagram shows how vulnerable Britain was in terms of its food supply. If a warring country succeeded in blocking Britain from its import supply, then the country would begin to starve. The diagram also raises concern about the state of the British Fleet.
At the foot of the page it reads, "According to Admiral Freemantle we are 160 cruisers short for the adequate protection of our trade routes in war."
Invitation to Captain Tupper to the meeting at the The Mansion House on Friday, February 27, 1903. (RNM)
In 1904 Britain came to an agreement with France, an ally of Russia. The Entente Cordiale, as it was known, protected against French intervention into a Russian war with Japan, who was now allied to Britain.
These alliances, and the subsequent alliance with Russia in 1907 were to have huge ramifications on the shape of naval, and world history.
