ALLIES AND TURKEY

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1939, Page 7

ALLIES AND TURKEY

FURTHER DETAILS OF PACT Immediate Ratification Expected [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, October 20. The pact between the Allies and Turkey was signed by the Turkish Prime Minister (Dr. Saydam), the and the British and French Ambassadors to Turkey, Genera! Waveli (Commander of the British Forces in the Middle hast) an^ Weygand (Commander of the French Forces m the East). The mam provisions of the pact are:— ■

(1) Britain and France will come to the aid of Turkey if she is attacked by. a European Power, or in the event of an act of aggression by a European Power leading to a war in the Mediterranean area in which Turkey is involved. (2) Turkey promises assistance to the Allies if they are involved in a war in the Mediterranean resulting from an act of aggression by a European Power or (3) If they are involved in a war as a result of their guarantees to Greece and Roumania. (4) In the event of Britain and France being involved in hostilities in which Turkey is not obliged to lend assistance under the pact, “Turkey will observe at least benevolent neutrality to Britain and France.” (5) Immediate consultation between * the three high contracting parties with a view to such common action as might be considered effective is provided for in the event of aggression by a European Power against another European State in the maintenance of whose independence or neutrality one of the three governments has undertaken to assist," or in the event of aggression by a European Power which, while directed against another European State, constitutes in the opinion of one of the three governments a menace to its own security. A protocol is included providing that the obligations of this treaty cannot compel Turkey to action, having the effect of involving hostilities with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The pact is operative on being signed, and will remain in force for a minimum period of 15 years. Ratification by each country is expected immediately. BRITISH SATISFACTION

ALLIED DIPLOMATIC VICTORY. (Received October 21, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, October 20. The signature yesterday at Ankara of the Anglo-French treaty of mutual assistance with Turkey has caused great satisfaction here, and the terms are ‘closely examined by the Press, which warmly approves them. “The Tinies” describes the _ treaty as a diplomatic act of far-reaching importance, which should be decisive for maintaining peace in the Mediterranean. It should strengthen the ability 'of every State in South-Eastern Europe to look after its own interests, and to combine them with those of its; neighbours. It is, moreover, as Mr. Chamberlain insisted, no mere temporary arrangement to meet a pressing emergency, but implies the determination of the three Governments concerned to pursue a long-term policy of collaboration. It is already in force, for it took effect from the moment of signature. The preliminary accord has,. like the British assurance to Poland, purely a defence character, and would only be brought into positive operation if the acts of others made it necessary. Owing to the complete inability of the German leaders’ minds to understand the binding character of the British word, in the case of Poland, says “The Times,” the Anglo-Polish treaty did not, as intended, preserve peace in Western Europe, but the punctual fulfilment of their pledges to Poland by Britain and France can only add force and impressiveness, even for the most sceptical, to the undertakings now assured by Turkey and Britain.' It was entirely open to the Turkish Government to send an envoy to Moscow, in response to the invitation of the Soviet. Government. There is reason to believe that the Turko-Soviet and Turko-British and French agreements could, without much difficulty, have been made to dovetail in with one another. Apparenly, however, the clumsy intervention by Herr von Ribbentrop prompted the Soviet to present its last-moment which M. Saracoglu had already earlier rejected. Herr von Ribbentrop’s diplomacy has become as erratic as it has always been mischievous, and his latest effort has only resulted in what is regarded, even in Italian circles, as a diplomatic victory for the Allies.

“OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.’’ LONDON, October 20. There is no further official comment on the pact, but well-informed circles in London and Paris state that the treaty is of the utmost importance in the Near East and the Mediterranean, and also in the Balkans. Unofficial observers say that Germany has suffered a severe set-back. The German envoy, Herr von Papen, is believed to have been sent to Turkey to improve the relations between Germany and Turkey, and his return to Berlin is not without inte vest* Mr C R- Attlee, for the Labour Party, and Sir Percy Harris, for the Opposition Liberals, congratulated the Government on the successful issue of the negotiations, and welcomed the agreement. HIS MAJESTY'S MESSAGE [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. Oct. 21. 11.5 a.m.). RUGBY, October 20. An exchange of telegrams was made between the King and the Turkish President. The King, in reply to M Saracoglu and the President, said. “There could be no better proof than this treaty affords of the desire of the three countries to work in common accord for the advancement of the cause of peace and goodwill among the nations, and it fittingly crowns the cordial friendship and mutual esteem which has so steadily inspired the relations between our countries. I warmly reciprocate your assurances of friendship, and send you my best widhes for the health, happiness and jXerlty ot the Turkish Republic.

french comments. UPSET FOR HITLER’S PLANS PARIS, October 20. The British-French-Turkish Pact is hailed as a diplomatic defeat for Germany which might have military repercussions. The semi-official newspaper, “Le Temps,” says the agreement has upset Herr Hitler’s war plans in southeastern Europe and the Near East. This newspaper pays a tribute to Turkey for holding fast to a loyal interpretation of her international obligations. The Paris correspondent of the “New York Times” states: “In a world where diplomatic engagements have come to have little or no meaning, the loyalty which Turkey has shown to her engagements with Britain and France comes as a welcome encouragement here. Both Moscow and Berlin, it is known, have worked hard to turn the Turks away from their engagements, and have failed. “That Moscow should seek concessions in new arrangements in the changed circumstances since last May is considered natural enough. Then London and Paris were seeking to bring Russia as well as Turkey into an eastern" peace front. Turkey was free to accept engagements of mutual assistance with England and France without contradicting her policy of friendship with the Soviet. If there is a contradiction now, it is argued, it is solely because of the changed Soviet attitude. The action in Moscow was not a. rupture, but Turkey has hastened to make the position clear by signing the tripartite accord.”

ITALIAN VIEWPOINT. TURKISH ACTION WELCOMED. ROME October 20. Two results of the pact are welcomed in Italy:— (1) The alleged Turkish refusal to modify the status of the Dardanelles in favour of Russia. (2) Turkey’s maintenance of her pledges to Roumania, indicating that she shares the Italian desire for a settlement of Balkan problems and the organisation of a Balkan peace bloc. The pact is not regarded' as having a direct influence on the war, but as likely to be of the greatest importance in future developments. The Rome correspondent of the “New York Times” says: “The BritishTurkish Pact has again brought Italy abruptly to a realisation that war may be forced upon her. It is realised that Italy is now challenged directly. Her entry on Germany’s side would bring in Turkey, Roumania, and Greece against her as well as Britain and France.

“It is also realised that a situation has been created whereby the Balkans are holding potential dynamite. If the Balkans are involved in the conflict, so will Italy be involved, for she is also a Balkan Power, thanks to Albania.

“It must be added that Italy’s policy remains neutral and hence she does not intend to enter on Germany’s side. In the present circumstances the pact, therefore, should not affect the situation except potentially, but from that point of view it is more important than anything since the Russian-German accord. “There is obvious perplexity about whether the pact will work for peace or war. It might work for war because of the threat to Roumania; yet it is appreciated that Germany and Russia may well hesitate to invade Roumania, knowing that the invasion would bring Turkey in against them. So it is believed that the pact may be a stabilising factor. “One aspect certainly brings joy in Italy, namely, the check to Russian progress in the Balkans. “Like most events of the war the pact must tend to weaken the RomeBerlin axis. It places Turkey and Greece on the side of the Allies, giving the axis a potentially powerful enemy in a position vital to Italy but not to Germany. It also increases Italy’s vulnerability if she sticks to the axis, but strengthens her position if she does not- Thus it is another argument for maintaining Italian neutrality; but if war is unavoidable it would be an argument for joining the Allies.”

The interpretative writer of the Associated Press of America says: “The Turkish Pact may be thus reduced to the simplest terms: The pact is calculated to act as a powerful deterrent to Russian and Italian involvement in the present war. It also seeks to limit the conflict to the Allied sea siege of Germany—to a battle of economic endurance instead of clashing armies—and tends to offset the German coup which made Russia a partner. “Foreknowledge that the pact would be signed unquestionably stiffened the Finnish and Scandinavian determination to resist Russian pressure, although this angle was carefully deleted from the official announcement of the results of the Stockholm conference.”

GERMAN STATEMENT. “STEP FROM NEUTRALITY.” LONDON, October 20. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that a semi-official statement claims that the Turkish action is a step from strict neutrality. It adds that other Balkan Powers see in it Turkey’s renunciation of strict neutrality, which is one of the most important aims of the Entente. The Sofia correspondent of the same agency says that Herr von Papen. the German envoy, who is returnign to Berlin to report on the breakdown of the talks between the Soviet and Turkey, declared that Turkey and

Germany “still remain good friends.” The correspondent of the Associated Press in Moscow says that foreign observers express the opinion that the new pact will check possible Soviet ambitions in the Balkans, and prevent more extensive Russian aid to Germany. NAZI PRESS NOT INFORMED BERLIN, October 20. The Press was not informed of the signing of the Anglo-Franco-Turkish pact, but instead gave prominence to the ratification of the Soviet-German pact. SOVIET RETICENCE LONDON, October 20. The Moscow correspondent of the 1 British United Press says that official quarters refuse to comment on the pact signed by Britain, France, and Turkey. The Soviet Press merely publishes the bare fact of the signing without comment. It is understood that there is great Russian naval activity in the Baltic.; Several Soviet submarines passed through the Kiel Canal. This possibly has no significance, as normally Russian warships to go to the White Sea at this season. M. SARACOGLU’S RETURN. I ISTANBUL. October 20. j Great crowds .on the waterfront cheered M. Saracoglu. on landing from a Soviet, cruiser. He is going to Ankara immediately, to confer with General Wavell and General Weygand. REGISTRATION WITH LEAGUE. RUGBY, October 20. The Anglo-French-Turkish treaty of mutual assistance will be deposited for registration with the League of Nations. JUGOSLAVIAN APPROVAL. BELGRADE, Ortober 20. The Press reveals Jugoslavia’s unqualified approval rtf the i Turkish pact with the Allies. SOVIET AND FINLAND. HELSINKI, October 20. M. Paasakivi is going to Moscow, 1 to-morrow night.