Be prepared to meet surprise attacks.
The French Naval Attaché, the Comte de Saint-Seine had been summoned. The following is the précis of our conversation:—
August 2, 1914.
The First Lord in the presence of the First Sea Lord and Chief of the War Staff, informed the French Naval Attaché of the Cabinet’s decision and the note on naval matters handed to M. Cambon at 2.20 p.m., August 2.
In order to prepare for the possibility of an alliance being concluded between the Governments, but without prejudging the question, the following preliminary steps are to be taken:—
The package containing the secret signal books to be distributed and opened but not used.
Mutual regulations for the entry of allied ships into each other’s ports to be issued now.
The officers in command of the Mediterranean and China Stations will be given permission to enter into communication with the French Senior Officers in command on their stations.
Certain staff questions were discussed, but the First Lord clearly pointed out that these involved no question of policy which would have to be decided by Parliament.
The general direction of the naval war to rest with the British Admiralty.