TURKISH PACT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23946, 23 October 1939, Page 8

TURKISH PACT

SARACOGLU RETURNS REPORT TO PRESIDENT MILITARY CO-OPERATION DISCUSSED GERMAN DISSATISFACTION (United Press Association! (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright I LONDON, Oct. 22. (Received Oct. 22, at 10.30 p.m.) A message from Ankara states that Bay Saracoglu has reported to President Inonu about his visit to Moscow. An earlier message, received from Istanbul, stated’that-Bay Saracoglu conferred with the Soviet Ambassador, then told the press that he was convinced that the pact would not affect the old and sincere Russo-Turkish friendship. He was loudly cheered when he landed from a Soviet cruiser, and was reported to be leaving immediately for Ankara to confer with General Wavell and General Weygand. The Ankara correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that, the British, French and Turkish military leaders completed discussions for possible co-operation under the new pact. The Rome radio forecasts a- conference pf the four Asiatic Powers—Turkey, Iraq,Tran, and Afghanistan—at an early, date to decide their attitude m the event of the failure of the RussianTurkish conversations. The German View The Berlin Diplornatische Korrespondenz says that as a result of the Turkish pact an old dream of Britain s has materialised. This was her dream of dominating not only the Straits of Gibraltar and the Sue • Canal, but also the Turkish Sea. The German press does not attempt to disguise anger over the pact, declaring that if Turkey is so blind as to follow Poland’s example, she must take the consequences. Some papers suggest pressure on Italy, taking the line that the pact threatens Italian interests. A message from Rome, however,, states that diplomatic quarters show no disposition to rise to the. Nazi bait. The press does not comment on the pact.. The Berlin correspondent ot the British United Press states that Hitler and von Papen met in conference. Hitler has ordered all Nazi district leaders to Berlin for important consultations to-morrow. The Rome Envoy, General von Macke’nsen, and the Ambassador in Moscow, Count von Derschulenberg, are also returning to Berlin to report' to Hitler. ; . Russia’s Interests s The Anglo-French pacts with Turkey have not damaged Russia’s direct interests, declared Izvestia. Russia in not sorry she has not signed a parallel pact, which would merely drive a wedge between Russia and Germany, and would benefit Britain and France, syho unsuccessfully tried to take advantage of Russian-Turkish friendship. Greek Approval The Greek press, commenting for the first time, warmly welcomes the Turkish pact. The - opinion is expressed that the alliance will be a new factor in .. the stabilisation of peace in the Balkans and, the Mediterranean. Qreek-Turkish irlendship is repeatedly affirmed, *" Y