NATIONAL INTERESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 149, 25 June 1936, Page 7

NATIONAL INTERESTS.

Differences Develop Over the Dardanelles. V KEEPING STRAITS OPEN. MONTKEUX, June 24. The nature of the conflicting interests at the Dardanelles Conference is beginning to emerge from the discussions. Russia, France and Rumania have formed a common front to keep the Straits open for purposes of mutual assistance. Tliey contend that warships should be allowed to pass through the Straits to execute decisions of the League and to enable French warships to enter the Black Sea to protect Russian shipping and the Rumanian oilfields and wheat supplies. These three Powers want the Straits to be kept open, also, to enable troops and. munitions to be shipped between France and Russia and Rumania. Britain, supported by Bulgaria and Rumania, is determined upon the maintenance of the International Commission to prevent the possibility of the Turks delaying commercial cargoes or charging exorbitant- pilotage and other fees. Britain also wants the right to send substantial forces to the Black Sea if necessary. The morning's discussions closed with an agreement to accept the Turkish draft as a basis for discussion, most of the delegates indicating that they desired to make reservations. Earl Stanhope (Britain) stipulated that an International Control Commission, which would not interfere with Turkish sovereignty, should supervise the regulations governing the passage of ships, as the Straits are an international waterway. He indicated that Britain was prepared to accept remilitarisation provided that other points at issue were satisfactorily settled. Mr. S. M. Bruce (chairman) at the evening session read notes from the Governments of South Africa and India saying that though not represented, they had no objection to a modification of the statutes of the Straits. The conference thereupon took up a discussion of the Turkish draft.

Tlie British delegates said they hoped the duties on the passage of commercial ships would not be high.

Dr. Rushti Aras (Turkey) said they would be levied according to new regulations for services rendered only, and would be uniform for the ships of all countries.

The conference then adjourned