TALKS FAIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23481, 19 October 1939, Page 11

TALKS FAIL

SOVIET DEMANDS TURKISH SECURITY PLAN INCOMPATIBLE COMMITTED TO ALLIES FRIENDLY WITH RUSSIA By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 19, 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, Oct, 18 The Premier of Turkey, Refik Saydani', announced at Istanbul that the negotiations with the Soviet had failed and had been broken off because.the Soviet demands contravened Turkish security. In a communique he said the failure resulted from the fact that the Soviet raised proposals different from those previously agreed upon, and including proposals incompatible with Turkey's commitments to Britain, and. therefore, contrary to the interests of Turkish security. Turkey considered in respect to the Dardanelles that she should not. be hound by anything other than stipulated in international agreement. New Proposals Presented When the Foreign Minister, M. Saracoglu, went to Moscow, added M. Saydani, both Governments had already exchanged views. After the talks had begun, the Soviet presented a new set of proposals. It was not possible for Turkey to reconcile these proposals with the obligations which Russia knew Turkey had agreed upon with Britain and France. The Russian demands were not considered practicable by Turkey. At the same time the relations between Turkey and Russia would remain on a friendly basis. The Times correspondent at Istanbul says Jf. Saraeoglu has left Moscow. He was seen off by M. Potemkin, viceCommissar of Foreign Affairs, the British Minister; the French Charge d'Affaires, and other diplomatic representatives. A Soviet guard of honour was provided and also a band. It is expected that Turkey will now sign her agreements with Britain and France.

German Envoy Leaves Turkey A communique issued in Angora says the guarantees which the Soviet offered did not compensate for the obligations which Turkey was asked to incur. A Russian communique issued in Moscow merely said that M. Saracoglu's visit had enabled both sides to make a comprehensive exchange of views, which had confirmed again the friendly relations between Russia and Turkey and their common effort to maintain peace. It added that the two Governments had decided to maintain contact in future for discussions on questions which interested both. The German Ambassador to Turkey, Herr von Pa pen , has left for Berlin. He astonished well-informed circles by the unexpectedness of his departure, says Renter's Angora correspondent.

CLOSING STRAITS REFUSAL BY TURKEY LOYALTY TO ALLIES EFFECT ON NAZI-RED PACT (Received October 18, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 18 The Istanbul correspondent, of the Times says it is understood that one of the Russian conditions which Turkey found unacceptable was that, in the event of war between Russia and the Allies, Turkey should close the Dardanelles against the Allied Fleets. - The Moscow correspondent of the Times emphasises that Turkey's refusal to act disloyally to Britain and France, especially her refusal to close the straits, may have important reactions on the Soviet's future co-operation with Germany. However annoyed the Soviet may be at present, nothing has happened so far to preclude negotiations.on a quite different basis later, says Mr. G. E. R. Gedve, Moscow correspondent of. the New York Times. The situation was difficult from the outset, because both sides came to the conference table with hands tied, Russia because of hor obligations to Germany and Turkey because of her obligations to Britain and France, to which she lias firmly adhered. The German influence seems to have been exercised against Russia securing Bessarabia. Germany has urged that such questions should be settled at the end of the war.