TURKEY’S POLICY IN BALKANS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23263, 25 February 1941, Page 9

TURKEY’S POLICY IN BALKANS

“Will Honour Her Obligations” STATEMENT BY SARACOGLU (united press association—copyright.) (Received February 24, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 24. , The Turkish Foreign Minister (Sukru Saracoglu) has issued a statement that Turkey will horfour all her obligations and defend herself if she is attacked. In an interview with the newspaper “Ulus,” which asked for an exact definition of Turkish policy since the Bulgarian-Turkteh accord, Sukru Saracoglu said: “Turkish policy has not changed. Turkey remains faithful to her alliances. We have decided to live .on good terms with all Powers, particularly cur neighbours. “Turkey could not in any way remain indifferent to foreign activities in her zone of security. Turkey will

offer armed opposition to all aggression directed against her territorial integrity and independence. “The Turkish-Bulgarian accord is an undertaking between States wishing to safeguard peace who declare that they will'not take part in any aggressive aim whatsoever. "Turkey would welcome similar manifestations from other quarters.” Reports from Istanbul denounce the distortion by Axis sources of the Turkish-Bulgarian agreement. The Axis is claiming that the pact means a diplomatic defeat of Britain, but this is vigorously denied in the Turkish press. One leading newspaper declares that Turkey is always loyal to her friends, as she showed when she sacrified 80,000 of her sons for Germany in the last war. The Russian Tass News Agency denies reports that the Soviet was concerned in the agreement. RUSSIA’S FOREIGN POLICY AIM IS PEACE AND NEUTRALITY COMMENT IN ARMY NEWSPAPER LONDON, February 23. An article in the “Red Star,” the official organ of the Soviet Army, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Red Army and Navy, states that Russia’s policy is still one of peace and neutrality combined with a strengthening of her fighting forces and continued vigilance. The Soviet would be ready to deal a crushing blow at any violator of her holy frontiers. The officer commanding the Moscow military district said that manoeuvres had been carried beyond the theoretical stage of make-believe warfare and the troops were being trained under active service conditions. They had been in winter camps to harden them and had undertaken forced marches of 60 miles, at the end of which they had built themselves shelters in' the snow using whatever materials were available. Much training had also been carried out on skis. The Supreme Commander of the Red Navy (Admiral Kuznetov) said that Russia had. four fleets —the Baltic, the Black Sea. the Northern and the Pacific, as well as flotillas on the Caspian Sea. All had the.most up-to-date equipment. Admiral Isakov, Deputy-Commissar for Marine, revealed that the Soviet has established a Danube flotilla which is the latest development of the Soviet Navy. CONSTITUTION OF INDIA BRITISH STATEMENTS DISAPPROVED ATTITUDE OF MOSLEM LEAGUE I (Received February 24, 11.30 p.m.) . NEW DELHI. February 24. Mr Mahomed AH Jinnah has been re-elected president of the Moslem League, the council of which has passed a resolution disapproving of tfie recent pronouncements of the Secretary of Slate for India (Mr L. C. M. S. Amery). The council says these pronouncements are "likely to create apprehension that Britain is still contemplating the possibility of a constitution based on economic and political union in India." Mr Jinnah. in a speech, said Mi Gandhi could not fool the people all the time. No Government engaged in a mortal struggle could tolerate his claim for the right to preach against helping the war effort. Mr Gandhi s real motive was to coerce the British Government to concede to the demand of Congress. , . „ The Moslems would not accept- a constituent assembly based on adult franchise, or even a national government.

Sir Frederick Banting Missing—The Montreal correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that Sir Frederick Banting, world famous for his discovery of insulin treatment for diabetes, is reported missing, witn three others, he was in a military aeroplane which, it is feared, has descended in the sea off the east coast or on land remote from communications An intensive search is being made.—New York, February 23.