Stimulus to Soviet Agreement

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 7

Stimulus to Soviet Agreement

British Press Welcomes Turkish Negotiations

“ENCIRCLEMENT” SCOUTED (British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 7 p.m. RUGBY, May 13. The satisfaction with which Mr. Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons yesterday, on the understanding with Turkey, was received is reflected in the press comment. The successful conclusion of the preliminary negotiations with Turkey—for a definite agreement has yet to be drawn up—is linked by several commentators, with the signature the day before at Bucharest of the Anglo-Ruinanian trade agreement, and the two events are taken as constituting both a reinforcement of the deterrents to use force in international disputes, thus aiding the restoration of confidence, and a contribution to the peaceful development of economic exchange, thus laying tho foundation of prosperity in which all can share when peace is secured. The great importance of the understanding with Turkey in its implications, both in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Balkans, is everywhere stressed, and tho Times and Manchester Guardian in almost identical terms call attention to the significance of Turkey’s place in relation to tho Arab world and her relations with tho Soviet. In view of the latter, both newspapers confidently look for a more rapid progress of tho Anglo-Russian negotiations, to which the prospective meeting at Geneva between Viscount Halifax and M. Potemkin, it is suggested, should also make a valuable contribution.

The Times deals by anticipation with the charges that the new agreement is an addition to the 11 encirclement ’ ’ of Germany, which reports from Berlin show have in fact been put forward. The Times asks how the Anglo-Turkish opposition to encroachment upon the rights and liberties of neighbouring nations can be treated as the encirclement of Germany, and claims that German antagonism to this development is entirely unwarranted on any grounds, save only that German policy in Southeast Europe should not really be as pacific as the German spokesmen constantly assure the world it is. The great material and strategic importance of this reinforcement of the “anti-aggression front,” as the Daily Telegraph calls it, is not overlooked in present-day comment. These factors are fully discussed by the Daily Telegraph itself and several other papers, both in their present-day implications and against the lessons of the past war.

The News-Chronicle concludes with the observation that “in the Great War” the friendship of Turkey to Germany was certainly more important than the alliance of Italy to Britain and France, and adds: “If an exchange had to be made, there are no military grounds for regretting it.”