The french would have to control the med to source troops, and if they wished to contest the North Sea they would need a all of their fleet there. They can't do both. In the med u have the ah fleet and if italy comes in they will have their hands full. It would be an ugly series of merchant raids on each combatant but the Germans should have an advantage by being able to go north for shipping around scotland. They could sweep at will down the french coasts and bombard the key ports disrupting the unloading of ships. In cruiser wars the Germans had an advantage so most likely would win. Their economy is much greater so they can buy or out build the french.
Most likely the french merchant fleet is destroyed in the pacific by japan. In addition most if not all the french colonies are lost.
Country Battleships Completed, Launched, & Laid Down Naval Expenditure (in Millions of Pounds Sterling, Current Prices)
Germany 24 10,7
Austria-Hungary 7 2,3
Italy 3 4, 7
France 17 11,7
Russia 22 N. 11,9
Britain 39 36,8
Turkey 1 N.
0,5
Table 2: Naval Strength, 1904 (
with Estimates in Italics)
[12]
So germany plus ah have 31 bob vs french 17. Add italy 3. The Russians have 22 but they have lost 8 and 4 in the Black Sea.