COMPLETE BREAKDOWN

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1939, Page 7

COMPLETE BREAKDOWN

RUSSO-TURKISH DISCUSSIONS ; BOTH PARTIES’ HANDS TIED I [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] * NEW YORK, October 18. « The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times’’ (Mr. G. E. R. Gedye) says that the breakdown of the Turkish-Soviet tiations is definitely complete, but that no rupture has occurred in Russian-Turkish relations generally. Turkey’s determination to maintain good relations with Russia is unchanged, however annoyed the Soviet may be at present. So • far nothing has happened to preclude negotiations on a quite different basis later. The failure to agree touched questions of a Black Sea neutrality bloc, Bessarabia, and the Dobrudja Straits.

The situation was difficult from the outset, because both came to the conference table with their hands tied, Russia because of her obligations to Germany, and Turkey because of her obligations to Britain and France, to which she firmly adhered. German influence seems to be. exercised against Russia securing Bessarabia. Germany is urging that such questions should be settled at the end of the war.

TERMS UNACCEPTABLE INADEQUATE COMPENSATION LONDON, October 18. The Istanbul correspondent of “The Times” says that Refik Saydam .informed the Parliamentary group of the People’s Party that the negotiations between Turkey and Russia had been broken off, and that the Foreign Minister (Sukru Saracoglu) had left Moscow., It is expected that Turkey will now sign an agreement with Britain and France. The correspondent says it is understood that one of the Russian conditions which Turkey found unacceptable was that in the event of war between Russia and the Allies, Turkey should close the Dardanelles against the Allied fleets. The other concerned a Soviet stipulation in the event of war between Turkey and Germany. The - communique issued in Ankara stated that the guarantees the Soviet offered did not compensate for the obligations Turkey was asked to incur. The Russian communique merely said that Sukru Saracoglu’s visit had made possible a comprehensive exchange of views which had again confirmed the friendly relations between Russia and Turkey and their common effort to maintain peace. It added that the two Governments had decided to maintain contact in future for discussions on questions interesting both. Russian circles declare that Sukru Saracoglu’s departure does not mean that the talks have broken down, but marks the end of one stage in the negotiations. To-day, another Turkish delegation is expected to visit Moscow to

view the agricultural exhibition. It will be headed by the Turkish Minister for Agriculture (Muhlis Erkmen). : RUSSIAN COMMUNIQUE (Recd. October 19, 10.30 a.m.) MOSCOW, October 18. A communique states: M. Saraco- ' glu’s visit enabled a multifold ex- J change of Russian and Turkish i opinions, upon mutual problems. The talks were conducted in a cordial at-.; mosphere, confirming the stability of Russian and Turkish relations, and '. the desire of both countries to pre-_ serve peace. The two Governments ; agreed as to the desirability of further contact. TURKISH MILITARY MEASURES. / (Received October 19, 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, October 18. The Istanbul correspondent of the Associated Press of America states: Military measures... in Turkey have been intensified, including the mobilisation of lorries and the recruiting of drivers, mechanics, and army reserves; also the despatch of troops to the Russian, Caucasus,, and Bulgarian frontiers. v IMPORTANT REACTIONS LONDON, October 17. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” emphasises that Turkey’s refusal to act disloyally to Britain and . France and especially to close the Dardanelles may have important reactions on the Soviet’s future cooperation with Germany. SOVIET AND FINLAND. ■ NEW YORK, October 17. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that M. ■ Kalinin’s reply has produced consid- ■ erable optimism that the Soviet will not attempt, at least immediately, violent action against Finland. GOLD FOR GERMANY. LONDON, October 18. ■ Mr. Butler, in the Commons, said that the Government had reason to believe that the first -consignment of 171 tons of gold from Riissia to Germany had already been delivered. • , .