ABSTRACT
The quest for an alliance was in conformity with the new British policy, and America was the only country with whom Britain was then able to effect one. Britain had gained many advantages by following the isolation policy, and she had escaped many quarrels thereby. The United States had need of support as much as Britain. Britain desired by means of it to arrest the activities of Russia in China, whereas Germany was keenly interested in encouraging Russia to look to China for expansion. The Kaiser had, indeed, recognized that an alliance with Britain would compel Russia and France, "out of fear of such a combination," to maintain peace. The alliance could therefore serve only British interests and not German interests." Germany took the view that in the alliance question time was not of the essence. It may have been intended to win Germany to the alliance by the proposal to adjust differences with Russia.
