France and Russia had been in clandestine contact, and Britain and Austria had likewise never cut off communications. Everyone simply understood without saying so and pretended not to see it.
If they took it seriously, they would have no friends left.
By the late nineteenth century, international relations had already become a tangled mess. France and Austria stood opposed over Central Europe, yet on the question of Central Asia, the two sides were aligned.
Though their motives differed, both sought to provoke a war between Britain and Russia and weaken their rival.
Looking at it from the other side, Britain and Russia were much the same. Central Asia was on the verge of war, yet their positions on Central Europe were nearly identical: let France and Austria tear into each other, and do not allow either side to become overwhelmingly dominant.
London
Although they had long known that France and Russia had been making eyes at each other behind the scenes, news that the French were issuing bonds for the Russians still provoked intense dissatisfaction within the British Government.
Prime Minister Gladstone frowned and asked, "Issuing bonds for the Russians at a time like this—what are the French trying to do?"
The timing was far too sensitive. Issuing bonds for the Russians earlier or later would have been no problem, yet they had chosen the very moment Britain and Russia had fallen out. The targeting could not have been more obvious.
Foreign Secretary George explained, "The French are retaliating. We promised to support their expansion of influence into Central Europe, but when they sought the coal interests of Belgium and Germany earlier, the government chose neutrality."
Was it really merely "neutrality"?
The answer was no.
Had the British Government not fanned the flames and secretly dragged the French down,