THE MIDDLE EAST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20385, 23 October 1940, Page 8

THE MIDDLE EAST

TOUR OF MR. EDEN HEARTENING EFFECT BRITISH ENVOYS’ TALKS STATES OF BALKANS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Oflicial Wireless.) Reed. 2 p.m. RUGBY. Oct. 22. The tour of the Middle East Command by the Secretary of State for War, Mr. Anthony Eden, has given him the fullest opportunity of inspecting the military units and assessing the needs of the forces in this theatre of war. In Egypt, where the visit had a most heartening effect. Mr. Eden met King Faroulc and leading Egyptians as well as high British officers. The British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Archibald Wavell, accompanied Mr. Eden on his visit to Palestine where units of the garrison were inspected. Crossing into the Transjordan, Mr. Eden was received by Amir Abdulla and was his guest at a dinner in in Amman. There is no truth in a report that Mr. Eden intends to travel to Istanbul for the purpose of conferring with the British Ambassador, Sir Hughe KnatchbuU-Hugessen. During Sir Hughe Knatchbullstay in Istanbul he was visited by Mr. G. W. Rendel, the British Minister to Bulgaria, who has now returned to Sofia. The British Minister to Yugoslavia, Mr. Ronald Campbell, is at present the guest of Sir Hughe KnatchbuUHugessen, having arrived after Mr. Rendel’s departure. Mr. Campbell’s visit will be restricted to two days, at the conclusion ol which he is to return to his post in Belgrade and the British Ambassador to Turkey will leave for Ankara. While advantage no doubt has been taken of these visits for an exchange of views upon matters of interest'to them in their respective missions, they were primarily of a private and personal character. The fact that these visiting Ministers were not present at Ankara at the same time disposes of a report that they attended for the purpose of a conference and it may be added that no instructions for any such conference have been issued from London.