After Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War and her territorial agreement with Britain in 1907, her threat to India from the north had been removed. Britain had long regarded the defence of India as of great importance and in 1914 the most professional part of the British Army was there. Increased German influence over Turkish affairs posed a new threat to Britain's communications with her Empire.

This article is located in the History of the First World War Volume 1 (REF D522 .H58 1969 V.1).