ABSTRACT
Benckendorff believed, like many of his London friends, that Germanys every move was calculated to destroy the Entente; and as Russia was an informal but recognized member of the coalition, he estimated every initiative planned at St Petersburg by its potential to thwart Germany's purpose. Haldane, who had been one of the Balmoral party, told Benckendorff that Germany's overtures need not worry Russia because the security of the British frontier in Asia was a necessary factor in the European balance. Benckendorff refused to see the difference between Russia's and Britain's political traditions as a barrier to cooperation, because he imagined that the Anglo-Russian convention was working toward a liberal and constitutional Russia. To remain on friendly terms with Britain, Benckendorff taught his minister, Russia had to reject firmly any semblance of closeness with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Iswolsky had thought of ending the Mrzsteg entente since the early 1900s.
