THE DARDANELLES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 155, 14 April 1936, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

QUESTION OF STATUS. TURKS AND FORTIFICATION. . NOTE TO THE PO WERS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, April 12.

A Turkish Note on the Dardanelles was handed to the Foreign Office, the Quai d’Orsay and also to the League of Nations, the Italian, Japanese, Russian,. Greek, Bulgarian, Rumanian and Yugoslavian Governments.

It is xxnderstood that the Note declares that the guarantees of the Lausanne Treaty are uncertain and inoperative, owing to rearmament. The Pow-

ers can no longer shield Turkey from external menace. Turkey accordingly invites the signatories of the Lausanne Treaty to negotiate with a view to restoring the Dardanelles to a condition of security, essential for the inviolability of Turkish territory. The Note adds: “Political crises have demonstrated that the present machinery of collective guarantees is too slow in operating, and the delays cause the authority of international decisions to he lost. It cannot to-day be said 'that the security of the Dardanelles is assured by guarantees. Turkey cannot remain indifferent to the dangerous failure to act.” TURKEY’S CORRECT PROCEDURE. LONDON, April 13. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Times” says that British official quarters state that Turkey’s request to fortify the Dardanelles will need careful consideration. Meanwhile she is accorded credit for correct procedure within her rights.

TURKEY’S FURTHER AIM. MILITARISED AEGEAN ISLANDS. (Received This D'ay, 10.15 a.m.) " CONSTANTINOPLE, April 13. Turkey, which anxiously awaited the effect in European capitals, especially London, of her reqrxest to remilitarise the Dardanelles, is gratified at the “fair acknowledgment” in the British Press of the correct procedure adopted by Turkey. ,It is xxnderstood that, apart from remilitarisation of the straits, Turkey intends to ask permission to fortify the Aegean islands at the mouth of the Dardanelles. DIFFICULT PROBLEMS FOR THE POWERS. LONDON, April 13. The forecast of the Turkish Note, published yesterday, is “The Times” comments that the Powers will have many difficult points to consider. It will be asked what gxxarantces can Turkey give that she will preserve the freedom of navigation through the straits, as laid down by the Lausanne Treaty. The Constantinople correspondent of “The Times” says the Turkish demand covers all the demilitarised areas mentioned in Article 4 of the Straits Convention, including Imbros, Tenedos, and islands in the Sea of Marmora. It is estimated It would cost £80,000,000 to fortify the Dardanelles against all modern engines of war. Therefore it is expected that at present only troops, heavy artillery, and mines will he provided.