RUSSIA AND TURKEY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1939, Page 8

RUSSIA AND TURKEY

POSITION STILL OBSCURE. [BY CABLE—PBESS ASSN. —COI’YBIGHTj (Received October 17, 10 a.m.) LONDON, October 16. Conflicting reports from European capitals further confuse the real state of the Russian-Turkish negotiations. The week-end report that a pact had been signed was offset this morning by despatches from Copenhagen, crediting Turkey with rejecting the Soviet’s demands. deadlock reported. SOVIET DEMANDS REFUSED. (Received October 17, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, October 16. The Associated Press of America Instanbul correspondent says that a deadlock is reported in the RussianTitrkish negotiations, owing to M. iSaracoglu’s refusal of the Russian demands for recognition of the partition of Poland, the formation of a neutral Balkan block under Russian-German sponsorship, and the partition of Roumania between Russia and Bulgaria. M. Saracoglu insisted upon Turkish neutrality if England and Fi'ance had to fight Russia. He declared that Turkey would join the Allies if Italy went to war in support of Germany. He added that Turkey could mobilise 2,000,000 men. Red Army concentrations in the Caucasus (which Russia denies) would not only threaten Turkey, but the Iraq oilfields, one of Britain’s main sources of supply. Turkey is preparing anti-aircratt exercises in the Dardanelles, following the transfer of her fleet from the Sea of Marmora to the Dardanelles, at Canakkale. Roumanian troops have been withdrawn from the Hungarian frontier, and are moving towards the Russian border. Four spies were sentenced _ to five years’ imprisonment, near Ismir, for seeking details of the Dardanelles defence. ASSURANCE TO ROUMANIA. LONDON, October 16. The Rome radio reports that Russia has assured M. Saracoglu that she has no aggressive intentions against Roumania.