French intervention on Russia's side is treated as a counterfactual rather than an account of the actual war. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance would make British involvement likely, and Royal Navy control of European exits could stop Russian and French reinforcements from reaching the Far East. Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary might then exploit the alignment by joining Britain and Japan. That possibility would turn an East Asian conflict into a much wider European confrontation. Alliance obligations and maritime access can matter more than the paper strength of a fleet that cannot reach the theatre.
Notable Point · 1:00:02-1:01:21
French intervention could widen the Russo-Japanese War
In a counterfactual where France joins Russia, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance could draw Britain in and prevent French or Russian fleets from reaching East Asia.