Germany now felt that she had nothing more to fear from France.  The French population was not increasing, while Germany was steadily growing in numbers.  It was England whom Germany saw across her path toward control of the sea.

There was a man in France, however, who had no thought of making up with Germany.  The memory of the war of 1870 and of the lost provinces of Alsace and Lorraine was very strong with him.  This was Theophile Delcasse, a little man with a large head and a great brain.  He refused to be tempted by the offers of German help, thinking that England, with its free government, was a much better friend for the republic than the military empire of Germany could be.

Just when the trouble was at its height, the English ambassador came to see Mr. Delcasse, who at that time was in charge of the French foreign office.  He had in his pocket an ultimatum, that is to say, a final notice to France that she must give in or England would declare war on her.  As he walked into Delcasse’s presence, he began fumbling with the top button of his coat.  “Don’t touch that button,” said Delcasse quickly.  “Drop your hand.  You have something in your pocket which must not be taken out.  It is a threat, and if I see it, France will fight.  Sit down.  Let us talk this matter over coolly.  Matters will adjust themselves all right in the end.”  And they did.  Delcasse was finally able to quiet the French people, to recall Marchand from Fashoda and to persuade France to refuse the offer of German friendship.  England was given a free hand in Egypt, without any interference from the French.  Naturally the English were very grateful to Delcasse for having refused to profit by German help and declare war.  In return for the French agreement to stay out of Egypt, the English promised to help France get control of Morocco.

Very soon after this, Queen Victoria of England died, and her son, Edward VII, became king.  He had spent a great deal of time in France, and was very fond of the French and was popular with them.  He saw the growing power of Germany, and knew that England could not afford to be without a friend in Europe.  He did his best to bring about a feeling of friendship between the English and the French, and was very successful in doing so.  He made frequent visits to France, where he was received with great cordiality.  In return the English entertained the president of France in London in a princely fashion.  French warships paid friendly visits to English waters, and the sailors mingled with each other and did their best to understand each other’s language.  All France, and England as well, welcomed the beginning of the “Entente Cordiale,” or friendly understanding between the two nations.

England also went out of her way to cultivate a friendly understanding with Italy.  With the other nations of Europe England had no great friendship.  Between England and Russia, there had been a hostile feeling for a long time, for the British felt that the Russians would like nothing better than to stretch their empire from Siberia, down to include British India, or at least Afghanistan and Baluchistan, where the British were in control.