OFFICIAL SILENCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 5

OFFICIAL SILENCE

MAY HALT AMBITIONS

BERLIN ACCUSATION

NEUTRALITY BREACH

VON PA PEN ASSURANCE

(l'llrc. Ti‘], Copyright—United Press Assn.) {Reed. Oct. 21. 12 noon) LONDON, Oct. 20. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says that official i quarters refuse to comment on the pact between England, France and ; Turkey. The Soviet press merely : publishes the bare fact of the signing I without comment. | The correspondent of the Associated ! Press of Great Britain in Moscow says [ that foreign observers express the ! opinion that the pact will check posj si bio Soviet ambitions in the Balkans and prevent more extensive Russian | aid to Germany. The Berlin correspondent of the As- j | soeiaiod Press of Great Britain says that a semi-official German statement : | claims that the Turkish action is a step from strict neutrality. I It acids that other Balkan Powers 1 see in it her renunciation of Ihe strict j | neutrality which is one of the most ; important aims of the Balkan entente. II is stated that the Berlin press was not informed of the signing ot the pact. Instead it gave prominence .o the ratification of the Soviet-Ger-man pact. The Sofia correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says liiat the German Ambassador to Turkey. Herr von Papon, who is return- i mg to Berlin to report the breakdown I of the talks between the Soviet and ! turkey, declared that Turkey and I Germany still remain good friends.