PACT SIGNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23996, 20 June 1941, Page 7

PACT SIGNED

TURKEY-GERMANY

MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP

NO TROOP TRANSIT

TREATIES TO STAND fly Tdftrnph- Pivss Association—Copyright (Tire, I. 7 Pm * !.< >N*DON. June lit The tie nil a n Ambassador to Turkey, von Papen. and the Turkish foreign .Minister, M. Saraeoglu, have signed at Ankara a treaty of friendship which is to remain in force for ten years Within the limits of the present commitments of lioth. countries, Turkey and (iermaiiv agree:— ill Tn respect the integrity and inviolability ot each ot Iter's territory, and no t to resort to anv measures, direct or indirect, aimed against the other To -ett'e questions touching upon comnion interests by friendly negotiation. (3) To promote as tar as possible Turco-German economic relations, '•bearing in mind the opening presented by the economic structure of the two countries, and Using as a basis each country's experience of the other in war.'' Further, a treaty of economic collaboration will be negotiated. (4) The Turkish and German press 9 nd radio are to bear in mind the spirit of friendship and mutual trust animating their nations. Control ot Dardanelles Turkey is stated to have given no transit to German troops through her territory, nor ceded use of her airfields, while Turkey's control of the Dardanelles remains unchanged. M. Saraeoglu. in a statement, said the treaty placed Turco-German friendship on a solid basis. Other actual and cxist-

in,s obligations of the two parties were not affected, and those obligations did not atrect the conception of the treaty. Tlie German Foreign Office spokesman declared the treaty showed that Britain could not break the friendship between Turkey and Germany, which had withstood the test of fire. Turkey was convinced Germany's interests did not conflict with Turkey's. The spokesman added that Turkey could depend upon Germany not to forget her friends. No Surprise In London The British Government has been kept fully informed by tho Turkish Government throughout the discussions. The terms of the agreement, issued simultaneously in Ankara and Berlin, cause no surprise in London, as they follow lines already forecast hero, says a British official wireless message. In the preamble td the agreement it is stated that tiie treaty is concluded on a basis of mutual trust and sincere friendship '"within the limits ot the present commitments ot both countries." Thus the Anglo-Turkish Treaty is safeguarded. In spite of the wellknown ingenuity with which the Nazis exert pressure on unwilling collaborators. the Turkish Government has effectively reduced the treaty to the bare limits of mutual respect of territory and friendly discussion of questions of common, interest, and it may be safely assumed that these fall far short of the treaty which tho Nazis hoped to imposo. An agreement is reported to have been signed between Turkey and Germany permitting Turkey to administer that section of the railway between Bulgaria and Turkey which runs through Greek territory. Martial law has been extended in Til race and other Turkish regions for a further six months.

TURKS' RESISTANCE

NAZI DEMANDS REDUCED

LOYALTY TO BRITAIN PRESS COMMENT IN LONDON jtßeed. 7.50 P.m.) ' LONDON, June 1!) Germany brought great pressure ■upon Turkey to sign the treaty, after tho German victories in the Near bast had resulted in a scmi-cirelo of Axis forces on her borders, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Times. Turkey kept Britain informed throughout. the negotiations. She put up considerable resistance, and Germany did not obtain all she wished, although the clause providing for consultations on questions of mutual interest will certainlv be used bv Germany for further concessions.

Turkey's attitude to Britain remains loyal, and the army would undoubtedly resist should the Germans attempt to cross the frontier. But these consideration" obviously do not prevent the Gorman propaganda machine from exploiting this success to the utmost. Behind the announcement ot the pact lies the story ol Von Pa|>en s near failure to achieve success, says the diplomatic correspondent, of the Daily Express. The Germans started the negotiations two. months ago with demands sky-high, but Turkey forced Germany to whittle down tho terms. Turkey's steadfast friendship for Britain suggests that the outcome of the pact will be 'nothing, although any agreement is regarded a.s a diplomatic setback

The Daily Mail says tho news has been received with regret in London, but Turkey's position is understood. She was unablo to complete her rearmament, which originally depended upon Bupplios from France. Britain tried to fill tho gap after Franco's collnpso, but provod impossible.