TURKEY WITH ALLIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 7

TURKEY WITH ALLIES

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE TREATY MILITARY TALKS IN PROGRESS [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, October 19. Messages reaching Paris from Ankara state that Turkey has agreed to sign mutual-assistance pacts with Britain and France, providing for:— (1) Automatic mutual assistance in the Eastern Mediterranean. (2) Turkish assistance if the Western Powers are compelled to execute their guarantees to Greece and Roumania. (3) Diplomatic consultations regarding Balkan questions. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph’’ says the pacts will be signed forthwith. An Ankara message states that General Weygand, and General Wavell, commanding the British Middle East Forces, both arrived by air last night for staff talks with the Turkish General Staff, beginning this morning. General Wavell flew from Alexandria and General Weygand from Beirut. i

PACTS OFFICIALLY" SIGNED

(Recd. October 20, 11.30 a.m.) ANKARA, October 19. Turkey has signed the Anglo-French pacts, which will operate for 15 years, including provision for a Turkish specific pledge to aid the Allies, if the latter fulfil their obligations to Roumania and Greece. PROVISIONS OUTLINED. (Received October 20, 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, October 19. The Augla-Turkish protocol provides that in the event of Russia being involved in European hostilities, Turkey and the Allies shall confer, but Turkey shall not be compelled to take action, if such action involves war with Russia. It is understood, firstly, that France and Britain will undertake to assist Turkey (a) in the event of any aggression by a European Power; (b) if any action by a European Power leads to war in the Mediterranean area, in which Turkey is involved. Secondly, Turkey agrees to come to the support of France and Britain (a) in the event of any act of aggression by a European Power, involving hostilities in the Eastern Mediterranean; (b) if France and Britain are engaged in hostilities as a result of their guarantees to Roumania and Greece. Thirdly, the Governments agree to consult as to common action in the event of any conditions arising under the various articles. ,

SOVIET DIPLOMATIC DEFEAT LONDON, October 19. The Moscow correspondent of “The Times” says , that the Soviet communique and the honours accorded. to Sukru Saracoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, on his departure, confiim Russia’s diplomatic defeat in the talks with Turkey. . The communique admits that tne discussions produced only confirmation of the friendliness between Turkey and Russia, and indicates that the Russian leaders are unwilling at present to quarrel with the Power controlling the entrance to the Black Sea. Sukru Saracoglu’s send-off could not have been more elaborate if Turkey and Russia had agreed instead m. differing.

RUSSIAN EXPANSION “HITLER CAN DO NOTHING” NEW YORK, October 18. The Stockholm correspondent of the “New York Times” says: “There is a tendency to believe that the assuiances M. Kalinin, the chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, gave to Mr. Roosevelt were a good augury, but to-day’s news from Estonia shows that the Soviet occupation implies a strong censorship and strict regulations. “It is not so liberal or discreet as was promised a few days ago, and disappointment is felt. “Finnish officials have a good argument against any Russian occupation, except of a little island near Kronstad. The three Kings wishing to urge moderation with Finland must realise that even for themselves it would be a serious matter to accept Russian control of the Mango or Aaland Islands. “Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer, on return from Berlin, declined to’ comment on his conversation with Herr Hitler, but intimated that it was of great importance. It is easy to guess that Herr Hitler emphasised that while the war continues, Germany absolutely needs Russian support and can do nothing against Russian expansion in the Baltic. “Indeed, it was discreetly indicated that if the conference could further peace on the Western Front, Germany would recover full possibilities of protecting the Northern States against excessive Soviet claims. “There is an impression that any confidence in German help has been shaken by current events in naval methods, and the four heads will not go beyond a platonic wish for peace.”

LONG-TERM AGREEMENT.

AIR. CHAMBERLAIN’S STATEMENT.

(Received October 20, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, October 19

The Commons debate this evening was interrupted while the Prime Minister .made a statement on the signature at Ankara, to-day, of the Anglo-French-Turkish mutual assistance treaty. Mr. Chamberlain said: . “The House will remember I made a statement on May 12, that the British Government and the Turkish Government had agreed to conclude a definite long-term agreement of a reciprocal Character, in the interests of national security. Pending the conclusion of the agreement, the British and Turkish Governments declared that, in certain circumstances, they- would be prepared to co-operate effectively, and to lend each other all the aid and assistance in their power. Subsequently, they decided that the long-term agreement should be in the form of a tripartite treaty between Britain, France and Turkey. Though the negotiations which have been proceeding since May 12 have been protracted, they have never shown any material difference in views, and throughout have been conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence. “An agreement on the terms of the treaty was reached some three weeks ago, but its signature was postponed, with the concurrence of the British and French Governments, as it was hoped by the Turkish Government that the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to Moscow might result in the conclusion between Turkey and Russia of a parallel treaty. The negotiations which M. Saracoglu has been conducting in Moscow have now been temporarily suspended, as Turkey felt that certain proposals made to her could not be reconciled with the points already agreed upon between Turkey on the one hand, and Britain and France on the other. Nevertheless, it has been announced, both from Moscbw 'and Ankara, that Turkey s i elations with Russia will continue, . as in the past, to rest on a foundation ot friendship. “Meanwhile, Turkey has decided not to defer any longer the signature ot the Anglo-French-Turkish treaty, would call attention to the fact that the treaty is valid for a minimum period of 15 years. It is therefore no temporary arrangement to meet a pressing emergency, but is a solid testimony on the part of the thr Governments concerned, to pursue < long-term policy of co llab ° ratioa n am sure that it will give the Hom great satisfaction to leain J- bat negotiations have been brought to t .. successful conclusion, and that tne seal has been set on our close a cordial relationhs with a country foi the qualities and character of whose people we have the highest regard.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, October 19. Mr. Chamberlain has sent the following telegram to the Turkish Premier: “I would like to convey to your Excellency a personal message of good wishes and congratulations on the conclusion of the Anglo-French-Turkish Treaty of mutual assistance, signed to-day. I welcome this additional proof of the resolve of our three countries to collaborate in furthering our common interests, and look foiward to a continuance of this cooperation in pursuing the policy laid down in the treaty we have just signed.” SOVIET-LATVIAN TRADE PACT MOSCOW, October 19. The. Tass Agency announced that a Soviet-Latvian trade agreement, supplementary to the recent Mutual-Assis-tance Pact, was signed yesterday. It provides for a threefold extension of trade between the two countries, and also for a considerable extension of shipments of Soviet goods via Latvian ports.