IMPORTANT STEP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23346, 15 May 1939, Page 11

IMPORTANT STEP

BRITISH SATISFACTION WIDE IMPLICATIONS BALKANS AND MEDITERRANEAN RELATIONS WITH THE SOVIET By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 14, 7.30 p.m.) British Wirelesß LONDON, May 13 The satisfaction with which Mr. Chamberlain's statement to the House of Commons yesterday on the understanding with Turkey has been received is reflected in press comment. The successful conclusion of the preliminary negotiations with Turkey—for a definitive agreement has yet to be drawn up —is linked by several commentators with the signature the day before at Bucharest of the Anglo-Rumanian trade agreement.

The two events are taken as constituting both a reinforcement of tho deterrents to the use of force in international disputes, thus aiding in tho 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 the Balkans, is everywhere stressed, and the Times and the Manchester Guardian, in almost identical terms, call attention to the significance of Turkey's place in relation to the Arab world and her friendly relations with the Soviet. In view of the latter, both newspapers confidently look for more rapid progress in the Anglo-Rus-sian negotiations, to which the prospective meeting at Geneva between Viscount Halifax and M. Potemkin, it is suggested, should also make a valuable contribution.

" NOT ENCIRCLEMENT" REPLY TO GERMANY THE TIMES ANTICIPATES STRATEGIC VALUE OF PACT (Received May 14, 7.30 p.m.) British Wire'ess LONDON, May 13 The Times deals by anticipation with charges that the new agreement with Turkey is an addition to the "encirclement" of Germany, which reports from Berlin show have in fact already been put forward. The Times asks how Anglo-Turkish opposition to encroachment upon the rights and liberties of neighbouring nations can be regarded as encirclement of Germany, and claims that German antagonism to this development is entirely unwarranted on any grounds, save only that the German policy in South-east Europe should not really be as pacific as German spokesmen constantly assure the world it is. , The great material and strategic importance of this reinforcement of thf anti-aggression front, as the Daily Telegraph calls it, is not overlooked in London comment. These factors are fully discussed by the Daily Telegraph itself and by 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 the exchange had to be made, there are no military grounds for regretting it."

MILITARY TRAINING COMMONS DISCUSSION COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS (Received May 14, 7.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON. May 12 In the course of further consideration in committee of the Military training Bill, in the House of Commons. Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, replied to Opposition speeches expressing anxiety regarding the effects of the provisions of the bill in relation to civil and trade disputes. He gave an assurance on behalf of the Government that it was prepared to give each militiaman a written statement that any liability he might be presumed to be under during his service to aid the civil power would not be enforced in his case. An amendment providing that conscientious objectors be entitled to reinstatement in employment on the same terms as militiamen was rejected. A resolution in favour of compulsory military service was carried by a large majority at a conference of the Liberal Party to-day. Speaking in Staffordshire, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, said he regarded the Military Training Bill far more as a measure for contributing to peace than as an instrument for waging war.

Recruiting for the Territorial Army now running at a rate of about 24,000 a week, and the recently duplicated establishment of 400,000 appears likely to be reached in Juno, or at the latest early in July.