Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1939. TURKISH FRIENDSHIP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 192, 15 July 1939, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1939. TURKISH FRIENDSHIP.

Tun reaffirmation of a complete identity of aims g-overaing the relations of Turkey and Britain, by no less an authority than the President of the Turkish Republic, carries with it a certain mea-sure-'of assurance the importance of which at the present juncture cannot be over-estimated. The preparation is under way of a comprehensive treaty providing for co-operation in all spheres of influence, and a long-term agreement with France is also contemplated. These decisions have been reached by the republic while declaring- its resolve to continue nonnal relations with all States, including- Germany and Italy, and to maintain friendship with the Soviet. If reliance is to be placed on the words of General Inonu, “Britain has a most loyal ally in the Turkish people, who are sincere in their intention to carry out their obligations under the alliance.” There is no reason to doubt this most welcome statement of friendship, which has been prompted in large measure by the general deterioration of European relationships. The present happy relations between Britain and Turkey are firmly grounded, and in fact find their origin in the negotiations that took place twelve months ago for the extension of considerable credits to the smaller country. Tinder the terms of the AngloTurkish Armaments Credits Agreement Bill an advance was granted by way of loan to the Turkish Government of funds not exceeding six millions sterling for the purchase in the United Kingdom of material necessary for defence. The advances so made bear interest at 1 per cent, above the bank rate, with a minimum of 3 per cent, up to January 1, 1943, and thereafter at a rate to be arrived at. The advances, together with the accrued interest, will be repayable in half-yearly instalments from 1951 to 1962. Speaking in the House of Commons when the measure was before the House, Sir John Simon indicated that, from the political point of view, Britain was glad to feel that the friendship existing with Turkey rested on a secure and solid basis. Both countries had the same supreme objective —the preservation of the peace of the world. Their amity was not directed against other Powers, and both desired to be

strong to preserve the standard! of' living of their own people. I. The agreement, Sir John added, , related to a guarantee up to a i total of ten millions sterling for 1 the export to Turkey of United Kingdom goods required for actual development. The changed relationship be-' tween two Towers of outstanding significance in the present scheme of things is most import-1 ant. In the years immediately! following* the drafting of the Lausanne Treaty (Treat Britain was not popular in Turkey, but an improvement arose from the desire of the new Turkey, under the leadership of Kamal Ataturk, i to achieve a larger measure of j security and support for the ter-! ritorial status quo in Europe generally. The new financial agreement was by no means easy of negotiation, for Britain had hitherto been a restricted market j for Turkish goods, and it wusi necessary to overcome difficulties! of exchange. However, it was early seen that it was likely to' prove a setback to Germany’s; economic penetration of the Bal-j kans and the Near East—a fact that apparently still looms large in Turkish eyes, the President| having expressed the hope that the Balkan Entente would be strengthened in the interest of peace by the inclusion of Bulgaria. Tile success of the agreement, it is now apparent, is assured. Political relations with Germany remain correct, but cool, and friendship with Great j Britain was never more cordial.