The Franco-Russian alliance of 1892 established privileged relations between France and Russia. Reciprocal protocol exchanges and visits were organised and Tsar Nicholas II was invited to the great manoeuvres of the East. Staying in Compiegne, he visited the north of Reims on 21 September 1901 and was welcomed by President Emile Loubet. The imperial delegation witnessed a vast deployment of 120,000 men in the Betheny plain and the fort of Fresne-les-Reims concluded the demonstration with a spectacular attack, as shown on this postcard to mark the event. This card was actually sent on the day of his visit from Montmirail (which lies just to the south west of Reims).