TALKS WITH SOVIET

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 8

TALKS WITH SOVIET

TURKISH CABINET MEETS ALLIED INTERESTS PROTECTED [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, October 17. A message from Istanbul says that the Turkish Cabinet met in Ankara and examined the report by the Turkish Foreign Minister (Sukru Saracoglu) on the Kremlin talks. The Cabinet will forward fresh instructions. The Turkish Foreign Minister spent two hours with the Soviet Foreign Commissar (M. Molotov) yesterday afternoon. He is believed to have leceived fresh instructions about details of the proposed agreement between Russia and Turkey. No information has been released. Suggestions that the new pact may interfere with Turkish relations with Britain and France are discounted in Ankara and Bucharest. The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times” (Mr. G. E. R. Gedye) says: “The completion of the Russian-Turkish negotiations is very difficult, and there are reports of a last-minute hitch. “Diplomatic circles believe that reports of a breakdown of talks and the concentration of Soviet troops on the Turkish frontier last week were exaggerated. The authorities regarded the reports so seriously that they complained to correspondents of British papers that the publication constituted a grave political matter. “The correspondents established that they were not responsible, suggesting that the rumour was deliberately spread by quarters anxious to upset the negotiations. “France and Britain continue to be confident that the Turks are protecting French and British interests.”

FRESH PROPOSALS MADE (Recd. Oct. 18, 11 a.m.). MOSCOW, October 17. The Turkish Foreign Minister, M. Saracoglu, is going to Turkey tonight, although the negotiations have not been concluded. It is reliably stated that he is taking fresh Soviet proposals, not precluding a continuation of the talks. NEGOTIATIONS A FAILURE. (Received October 18, 2.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 17. The Istanbul -correspondent of the Associated Press of America, states that the Premier, M. Saydim, announced that the negotiations with the Soviet had failed, because the demands contravened Turkish security. The Ankara correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that the Prime Minister has issued a communique stating that the’SovietTurkey talks failed because the Soviet raised proposals different from those previously agreed upon, including proposals incompatible with Turkey’s commitments to England and France, and therefore, contrary to the interests of Turkish security. Reuter’s Ankara correspondent states that Herr Von Papen is going to Berlin, astonishing well-informed circles at the unexpectedness of his departure. SOVIET AND FINLAND. HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT LONDON, October 17. The Finnish delegation has arrived at Helsinki from Moscow to report to Cabinet. Optimism prevails regarding the prospect of a friendly settlement with the Soviet. M. Passikivi will resume the talks in Moscow on October 20. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press says M. Passikivi conferred with Foreign Office chiefs, to whom he submitted the Russian proposals. The Foreign Office spokesman later announced that there was every hope of a practical solution. Finland is interested in a report that Norway is reinforcing her northern frontier, adjoining Finland. This border is closer to Russia than is Sweden’s, and Narvik, the railway terminus for Swedish iron exports, is vitally important to Norway. The British Navy closed this area to the Germans while keeping it open for the British.

REPLY TO MR ROOSEVELT. (Recd. October IS, 1.20 pan.) WASHINGTON, October 17. M Kalinin has replied to Mr Roosevelt, stating that the present negotiations between Russia and' Finland are being conducted in conformity with principles recognising the state of independence of Finland. M. Kalinin intimated that, contrary to reports being disseminated by circles “not interested in European peace,” the sole aim of the negotia-l tions is the consolidation of reciprocal relations between the Soviet and Fnilamt and the strengthening of the friendly co-operation of the two countries in a cause guaranteeing the security of the Soviet and Finland. . Mi'. Roosevelt’s message stated: “While the United States is taking no part in existing controversies in Europe, the President wishes to call attention to the long-standing and deen friendship existing between the United States and Finland. Such being the case, the President expresses an earnest hope that the Soviet will make no demands on Finland which are inconsistent with the. maintenance and development of amicable, peaceful relations between the two countries, and the independence of each.

PRESSURE ON IRAN. EXERTED BY RUSSIA. NEW YORK, October 16. The Washington correspondent of the “Now York Times" says diplomatic circles disclose that the Soviet is bringing pressure to bear on Iran by medium of trade negotiations. Russia is seeking to reassert her sway in North Iran, and obtain control of the rice output and concessions in the oilfields. An unconfirmed report states that the Russians are also seeking a sea base in ihe Persian Gulf. DUTCII-GERMAN TRADE. LONDON, October 17. The Rome radio announced that the Dutch Minister for Economics (Mr. Steenberghe) had arrived in Berlin for trade discussions.