TURKISH POLICY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 126, 21 February 1941, Page 7

TURKISH POLICY

Bulgaria Again Warned BALKAN PLEDGE Policies Of Germany And Russia

(By Telegraph—Press Assu.—Cupyiight.) (’Received Feb. 21, 12.5 a.m.)

LUN DUN. February 20.

An Ankara message states that the Turkish Deputy, M. Saddak. who is generally considered to be a semi-official spokesman, stated in an article in the newspaper "Aksham”: "Turkey's policy is tightly linked with Britain’s by an alliance which is unchanged and no being changed. The joint lutk-ish-Bulgarian declaration is. an outcome of Turkeys until in; and courageous peace efforts, and it conforms with the spirit of th British-Turkish alliance. “By the terms of the declaration Bulgaria has pledged heiself not only to Turkey but also to Greece. If Bulgaria fails to respect that engagement, Turkey resumes her freedom ot action.

Explaining the events leading to the Turkish-Bulgarian declaration, the Ankara radio last night declared that the Turkish Foreign Office, facing up to a misunderstanding arising from the piesence of troops on the Turkish frontiers, had approached Bulgaria and explained that Turkey’s military measures were in no way directed against her, but the fact that the war was getting nearer necessitated such steps. The announcer emphasized that both countries had not only agreed to abstain from war between them but also from aggression against any other nation.

'The "Daily ’Telegraph’s” Belgrade correspondent says there is a growing impression there that Yugoslavia will

conclude an arrangement with Bulgaria. similar to the Turkish-Bulgar-ian declaration. To the Germans this means that Yugoslavia will stand aside to permit the pursuance of German aims, but it is thought that the Germans will proceed most carefully because a false move antagonizing Yugoslavia might lead to Germany facing a military bloc comprising Turkey, Greece, Yugoslavia and Britain, which would be able to put -1,000,000 troops on Germany’s southern frontier.

The Swiss radio quotes an opinion in Moscow political circles that, the Turkish-Bulgarian declaration was drawn up “under the influence of Russia, Greece and Britain.” It adds: “If Germany intends to invade Bulgaria she must be prepared to face another conflict.”