PICKED TROOPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23488, 27 October 1939, Page 9

PICKED TROOPS

TURKS ASSEMBLE EAST PROVINCE NEIGHBOURS CONSULTED DESIGNS OF SOVIET;,By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 26, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 26 It is reported that representatives of Turkey, Iran, Irak and Afghanistan are conferring at Istanbul, says the Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain. They were co-signatories of tlio Saadabad Pact, which was der signed to prevent Russian expansion to the Dardanelles and the Persian Gulf. Another mes.sage from Istanbul says Turkey is reported to have concentrated 300,000 picked troops around Kars and Ardahan, the chief towns in Turkey's most eastern province. An official at the Soviet Embassy says the dispute over Kars and Ardahan can be settled by negotiation. The Russian minority there is well treated. The matter, therefore, is not cause for the breaking of Turbo-Russian. friendship. A cablegram published yesterday stated that Armenia, acting on instructions from Russia, had claimed the return of Turkey's most eastern province, with the towns of Kars and Ardahan as the main centres, which wee Armenian until 1920. The population in the district speaks Russian. The area referred to is between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Russia, it was indicated. - having failed to imp6se terms on "Turkey for south-eastern expansion, was now directing her ambitions from a different point, and wanted a seaport in the Persian Gulf.

EARLY RATIFICATION ANGLO-TURKISH PACT DESIRE OF GOVERNMENT _ (Received October 'J§, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 25 In the House of Commons to-day the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, said, the pact with Turkey would be submitted to His Majesty for signature immediately the instruments of ratification reached Angora next week. Replying to the Leader of the Labour Opposition, Mr. C. R. Attlee, Mr. Chamberlain said it was usual for treaties to be laid before the House for. 21 days before their ratification, says a British _ official wireless message. However, in view of the exceptional circumstances of the present case it was desired that the Anglo-Turkish'Treaty should be ratified as soon as possible. ARMS EMBARGO PREVENTION 'OF REPEAL ISOLATIONISTS LOSE HOPE ' USE OF AMERICAN FLAG (Received October 26, 5.5 p.m.), WASHINGTON, Oct,' 2-»> In contrast to yesterday the Senate, neutrality debate proceeded at a snail's pace to-day, causing the Administration to doubt the passage of the .measure before late to-morrow, or on Friday. However, the easy passage of the legislation is apparently only a question of time. It is doubted if such leading isolationists as Mr. "YV. E. Borah and Mr. 6. P. Nye could muster over 30 votes. They have surrendered alLhope of preventing repeal of the arms embargo. • " Z-

Mr. A. W. Barkley agreed to accept an amendment by Mr. C. W. ToTsey (Republican—New Hampshire). to penalise the use of the United States flag and" other, markings by foreign vessels if the penalty was made a ban of three months on the use of American ports, instead of the proposed confiscation of the ship and cargo,, and the fining and imprisoning of the master, which would raise a serious question of the United States' rights as a neutral. A decision was not reached at the adjournment.

FRIENDLY RELATIONS

BRITAIN AND RUMANIA (Received October 26, 5.5 British "Wireless LONDON, Oct. 25 The coming of ago of Crown Prince Michael, of Rumania, is the subject of cordial notice in London, where, like his father, Xing Carol, lie has-many friends.

An occasion of such import to the future of the 'Rumanian State would in any case excite sympathy here, on account of the friendly relations existing het ween Rumania and Britain, and tho high value placed upon them both in official circles and popular esteem.