First World War.com - Primary Documents - Triple Entente 'No Separate Peace' Agreement, 4 September 1914

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Theophile Delcasse Primary Documents: Triple Entente 'No Separate Peace' Agreement, 4 September 1914
Updated - Tuesday, 9 April, 2002

With the war underway there was concern among the Entente Powers that none among them should attempt to negotiate a separate peace with the Central Powers, thus gravely weakening the ability of the remaining belligerents to continue the war.

Thus the 'No Separate Peace' agreement came about, agreed by Britain, France and Russia in Paris on 4 September 1914, barely a month into the war.

Declaration

M. Delcasse, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the French Ambassadors and Ministers abroad.

Paris, September 4, 1914

The following declaration has this morning been signed at the Foreign Office at London:

"The undersigned duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments hereby declare as follows:

"The British, French, and Russian Governments mutually engage not to conclude peace separately during the present war.

The three Governments agree that when terms of peace come to be discussed, no one of the Allies will demand terms of peace without the previous agreement of each of the other Allies."

Signed:

Paul Cambon

Count Benckendorff

Edward Grey

This declaration will be published today.

Delcasse

A "British warm" was a heavy issue greatcoat for officers.