Secret provisions of the Franco-Russian alliance leave Britain uncertain about whether the agreement could be used against it. That distrust helps explain the preference for an Anglo-French understanding with fewer explicit commitments than a treaty alliance. France has a reason to worry about Russian defeat even when the fighting takes place far from Europe: lost military prestige would weaken the partner it needs against Germany. In this interpretation, the historical Russian defeat pushes France further towards Britain while complicating its relationship with Russia. A war in East Asia can consequently reshape the European balance of power.
Notable Point · 4:08-6:23
Secret commitments and the European cost of Russian defeat
Secret alliance provisions create British distrust, while Russia's defeat in Asia would weaken the partner France needs against Germany.