ABSTRACT
Japanese success against Russia in a brief war between the two nations in 1904-5 eased Britain's worries over India. Pressure on the navy was reduced since Japan had comprehensively routed the Russian fleet. The result of post-war Russian introspection was greater receptivity towards overtures from Britain for an accommodation over outstanding matters of disagreement. This shorthand phrase describes the objective of the British Naval Defence Act of 1889. Britain attempted to maintain a fleet of battleships which were the same size as the world's second and third largest fleets combined. Unsurprisingly, other powers, especially Germany, resented this as inappropriate and arrogant. In 1905, Germany, alarmed by an agreement it had not anticipated, challenged Frances rights and claimed that the Sultan of Morocco should be able to exercise complete independence. Germany also calculated that, when under pressure, Britain would not give unequivocal support to France.
