TURKISH POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 111, 20 February 1941, Page 5

TURKISH POLICY

AGREEMENT WITH BULGARIA. BRITISH RELATIONS UNCHANGED CONFIDENCE FELT, IN LONDON. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, February 18. Complete confidence is felt in Loudon that the agreement signed between Turkey and Bulgaria does not affect the pact which is in existence between Turkey and Great Britain. Tho agreement, did not, come as a surprise, and it is stated that relations between Britain and Turkey are as strong as ever. It is considered that the agreement does not, in any way change Turkey’s policy in ,thc Balkans, where Turkey intends to pursue with determination her policy of maintaining peaceful relations with her neighbours. Turkey has now more than 300,000 troops in European Turkey. The . Turkish press welcomes- • the Turkish-Bulgarian declaration. “Yeni Sabah” says: “The heroism of our Greek allies will prove sufficient to dislodge tho Italians from the Balkans itf a very short time, because the way across Bulgaria is now closed to reinforcements to the aggressor, for Bulgaria has .barred the way. This policy may serve as an example to Yugoslavia. “Tkdam” says: “Peace in the Balkans can now be disturbed oilly by the Germans. We hope for the sake of the Balkans and also for the sake of the Germans that the German troops in/Rumania will not move further.’’ The joipt statement reaffirming friendly relations between Turkey and Bulgaria, signed in Ankara on Tuesday, is a result of negotiations between Turkey and Bulgaria which, with the knowledge and goodwill of the British Government, were initiated by Turkey and have been proceeding for some weeks. These negotiations were one feature of Turkey’s diplomatic effort to effect a united front in the Balkans. While the negotiations are proceeding, German infiltrations into Bulgaria tend to rob them of their political significance, and the prospect of the development of trade • relations ~to which the joint declaration looks must inevitably be restricted under the present disturbed conditions. It may be assumed, however, that these unfavourable factors were fully considered by both parties in deciding, nevertheless, to proceed with the negotiations. Britain Kept Informed. The specific assurance contained in the preamble that, the agreement -is without prejudice to the contracted agreements of the .parties with regard to other countries is an open indication of Turkey’s loyalty to her ally, which, in fact, has been most scrupulously maintained throughout, the British having been kept closely informed of the trend of the talks. Since the signature,'this assurance in the agreement has been underlined by the public reassertion that Turkey's obligations under the existing alliance remain unaffected. The first of tho terms of the joint declaration provides that Turkey and Bulgaria consider it an unchanging basis of their foreign policy to abstain from any aggression. So far as Turkey is concerned, it has been apparent throughout that she is inspired by nonaggressive intentions, and it is regarded here as a gain that Bulgaria, too, should have joined in giving this undertaking. “The Times” interprets Bulgaria’s declaration in this regard as an indication that she will not help Germany against either Turkey or Greece. Whether Bulgaria will now feel herself in a position to assert her independence in a more robust way remains to be seen, but it is clear that the agreement can have little practical meaning for Turkey unless 1 there is some evidence of such an attitude. The signatories to the agreement, in a brief statement made bn behalf of their respective countries, made it clear that thero is no inclination in Ankara or Sofia to exaggerate the significance of the agreement. Both have referred to the document as a modest one. Turkey’s Foreign Minister adding that he hoped that it may perhaps be effective in preventing new complications in the Balkans. German Troops Mass. The position in Bulgaria in the meanwhile has undergone no important change. Bulgaria’s,, neutral position continues to be threatened by the presence ( of German “technicians” and others, and there arc ominous reports of the massing of German forces on tho north side of the Danube in preparation for crossing the frontier. Tho Jugoslav newspaper “Vranc” says it is reported from Bucharest that King Boris of Bulgaria has gone to Germany. A Belgrade message says that r M. Ziga Sol, a member of the Groat Peasant Party, in a speech to constituents, said that the [German terms to Jugoslavia include the passage of war materials, a. largo share of Jugoslavia’s agricultural production, and the strictest neutrality. The Berlin radio announced that Russia and Bulgaria had begun trade negotiations in Moscow. German reconnaissance and photographic aeroplanes are flying each day over Greek Macedonia. Tho German Minister in Athens is reported to have told tho Greeks that Germany is keen for a settlement of the Italian-Greek war. The Germans have also spread reports that tho Turkish-Bulgarian declaration has ruled out Turkish aid to Greece. “The Times” says: “Germany assumes the way to Salonika - is now open, but this disregards the many saving clauses which tho Turks put 'into the agreement, and tho British

are more than ever determined to help the /Greeks. i “Turkey knows what a German threat to tho Aegean would mean. The Straits would bo threatened from the west, as they are already from the north. Turkey knows how tho British strength in the east Mediterranean has grown, and the British-Turkish staff talks contained a promise of effective collaboration; but the Turks will not embark on the impossible. The Turks have never promised to go to Bulgaria’s aid, and they decided some time ago not to risk wasting their strength by entering the Bulgarian uplands. The Thracian defences are strong and the Turks can build up more strength behind them.”