NEW CONVENTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 9

NEW CONVENTION

THE DAEMNELLES CONFERENCE APPROVES TURKEY TO REFORTIFY By Telegraph—Tress Association —Copyright (Received July 10, 5.5 p.m.) MONTREUX, July 18 The Dardanelles Conference today at a plenary session approved the final text of the new Straits Convention. This permits Turkey immediately to remilitarise the Straits zone, and limits the use of Ihe St raits by warships belonging to Powers which do not adjoin the Black Sea. The convention was adopted amid an atmosphere of general cordiality. The Japanese delegate emphasised that this was the first international instrument Japan had signed since her "unfortunate departure from the League." Lord Stanley and other delegates paid warm tributes to Mr. S. M. Bruce for his tact and skill as president. Dr. Tewfik Aras previously at a private meeting had affirmed the Turkish Government's determination to maintain the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne, particularly in regard to the upkeep and control of and the right to visit the war cemeteries. Lord Stanley, in expressing thanks, said tho cemeteries constituted an Anglo-Turkish link. Chief Points in the Document A protocol permits Turkey to apply the conditions laid down in the convention from August 15 and to begin the remilitarisation immediately the convention is signed. The chief points of the convention ensure commercial vessels tho freedom of the Straits in time of peace and when Turkey is neutral, and an improvement in shipping dues. The document empowers Turkey to lay minefields, impose compulsory pilotage and to ban the passage of warships if she feels that war is imminent. The section dealing with warships empowers Russia, Bulgaria, Rumania and Turkey to send submarines and heavy battleships throught the Straits, but non-Black Sea Powers are only permitted to send light and surface warships to an aggregate tonnage of 30,000 into the Black Sea with a maximum of 15,000 tons at the one time.

Only non-belligerents can profit by this clause in time of war.

Operation for 20 Years

Also no submarines or aircraft-car-riers may pass through the Straits, except new submarines being delivered to Black Sea States or going or returning for overhaul. Another clause permits non-Black Sea Powers to send 8000 tons of warships to the Black Sea for humanitarian purposes, while, when Turkey is neutral, belligerent warships will only be permitted through the Straits in order to fulfil obligations under the League Covenant or a mutual assistance pact. The convention is to operate for 20 years. Italy is omitted from the list of signatories, but may sign as a Lausanne signatory if she so desires. The convention will be signed at 10 p.m. on Monday after a banquet in a local hotel. THE FINAL STAGES CONCESSIONS BY POWERS AGREEMENT REACHED Times Cable LONDON, July li The Montreux correspondent of the Times says the Dardanelles Conference sat all day and finally agreed to the text of a convention which the Drafting Committee to-day will give its final form for signing on Monday in the historic Castle Chillon, which Bvron immortalised.

The conference acceded to the Turkish demand for the abolition of the Straits Convention and permitted Turkey to begin regarrisoning and refortifving the coastal areas and islands guarding the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. The new convention will be left open for signature by Italy and other signatories of the Lausanne Treaty. Britain had to concede most of her contentions but the points in question in some cases were of problematical practical importance. GERMAN OBJECTION AN "ANTI-NAZI BLOC" BERLIN, July L 7 The German press denounces the Dardanelles agreement as a European lineup against Germany. It deplores luikey's inclusion in what is described as an "anti-Nazi bloc."