ANKARA’S MOTIVE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 125, 20 February 1941, Page 7

ANKARA’S MOTIVE

Negotiations With Sofia LONDON’S KNOWLEDGE AND GOODWILL Now Up To Bulgarians i British Otlicial Wireless.! (Received February 19, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, February 18. The negotiations between 1 urkey and Bulgaria, which were with the knowledge and goodwill of the British Government, were initiated by Turkey and had been proceeding for some weeks before the signature in Ankara yesterday of the joint statement which, as already reported, reaffirms the friendly relations between the two countries and notes an exchange of assurances of non-aggression. These negotiations were one feature of Turkey’s diplomatic effort to effect a united front in the Balkans. While the negotiations were proceeding the German infiltrations into Bulgaria tended to rob them of their political significance, while the prospect of 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, tjiese unfavourable factors were fully considered by both parties in deciding nevertheless to proceed with the negotiations. 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 Turkish 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 of the agreement this assurance has been underlined by a public reassertion that Turkish obligations under the existing alliance will remain unaffected. Regarded as a Gain. The first of the 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 agreement can have little practical meaning for Turkey unless there is some evidence of such an attitude. The signatories of the agreement in the brief statement made on behalf of their respective countries made it clear that there was 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 it was hoped that it might perhaps be effective in preventing new complications in the Balkans. The position in Bulgaria in the meanwhile, has undergone no important change. The Bulgarians’ neutral position continues to be threatened by the presence of German “teclinicians” and others, and there are ominous reports of a massing of German forces on lhe north side of lhe Danube in preparation for crossing the frontier. ITALI A N COMM UNIQUE Considerable Loss In Albania LONDON, February 18. An Italian communique reports:—There was violent lighting yesterday on the Greek front. The Greeks sustained grave losses and did not succeed in breaking our lines. The Italian losses were also considerable. Enemy planes bombed Italian islands in I be Aegean Sea. Fighting in Eritrea was confined to local actions. We repulsed violent enemy attacks on the lower Juba River. Our Somali contingent, after blocking tlie port, evacuated Kisinayn, but lighting continued in lhe neighbourhood.