TURKISH TREATY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23951, 28 October 1939, Page 11

TURKISH TREATY

GIVEN WIDE WELCOME | A DEFINITE INSTRUMENT BARRIER TO AGGRESSION (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY. Oct. 26. In the course of his weekly war review in the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain said the outstanding event of the past week in foreign affairs had been the signing of the treaty with Turkey. “ This treaty has I been received with profound satisfaction throughout the Empire and France, and it is a great encouragement to us to know that it has been widely welcomed in many other parts of the world. That is doubtless because the world sees in it a guarantee for the j maintenance of peace in at least one region of the world. It is purely a defensive instrument, threatening none, and designed only to oppose aggression. We are proud to feel that under its provisions we now share mutual responsibilities with the Turkish people, for whose patriotism, probity and valour we have long cherished a high regard.” The statement, which concluded with observations on von Ribbentrop’s speech, began with a survey of the onerations on land and sea and air. Mr Chamberlain said that during the past week there had been no operations of importance on the Western Front. Minor adjustments of the positions had resulted in the French and German forces being now on a line of common frontier. A steady stream of reinforcements and reserves of material for the British Expeditionary Force had been continued. and the defences in the British sector were being continually strengthened. In the air machines of the fighter command had again been in action. Success of Defence Convoys Having described the success of the defence convoys, the Prime Minister passed on to reconnaissances by the coastal command units, which had been almost continuously at work. Among successes during the week were the detection of mines in the path of the convoys, which had saved ships from danger, and the sighting of seven U-boats. Of the U-boats sighted, four were attacked, and there was good reason to believe that at least one was severely damaged while another was destroyed by warships directed to the scene by aircraft. In a tribute to the anti-aircraft gunners Mr Chamberlain intimated that it was now known that in the raids on Rosyth and Scapa Flow they brought down two German bombers, and there was reason to think that they had caused such damage to others as to prevent them from reaching home. POLITICAL ARRESTS LARGE NUMBER IN MORAVIA LONDON. Oct. 26. The Budapest correspondent of The Times states that political arrests in Moravia number 70 a day, largely due to the Gestapo’s denlmciation of the system whereby Czechs of German origin are working off grudges of republican days. The Gestapo levies families for the support of those arrested, who include many prominent persons. M. Closac, the former Minister of War, died in prison as a result of exposure and the guards’ treatment. RHODESIAN AIR UNITS ADDITIONAL SQUADRONS LONDON, Oct, 26. It was announced that Southern Rhodesia has offered to bring the air unit already maintained up to full squadron strength, and also to maintain three additional squadrons on any front. AUSTRALIAN ZINC AND LEAD SUPPLIES FOR BRITAIN MELBOURNE, Oct. 27. With the approval of the Commonwealth Government contracts have been made with the British Government by the Electrolytic Zinc Company and Broken Hill Associated Smelters for the supply of zinc and lead respectively for the period of the war and three months afterwards. Approximately £4,000,000 is involved. SPY RING IN FRANCE SEVERAL MEMBERS SENTENCED PARIS, Oct. 26. Dr Phillippe Ross, a notorious proNazi autonomist and municipal councillor of Strasburg. was sentenced to death for betraying 'military secrets to Germany. A 20-year-old student was similarly sentenced, and three other members of a spy ring were given five years’ hard labour. FRANCE’S HUGE EXPENDITURE EIGHT MILLIONS A DAY PARIS, Oct, 26. (Received Oct. 27, at 6.30 p.m.) M. Reynaud told the Senat a Finance Committee that the Budget in 1940 would involve £8,000,000 a day. DUTCH SHIP OVERDUE FEARED TO BE LOST AMSTERDAM. Oct. 26. The Netherlands motor ship Tegri, bound for Amsterdam with a cargo of munitions, is a month overdue, and I is feared to bo lost, i ENEMY LOSSES AIRCRAFT AND SUBMARINES LONDON. Oct. 27. The Air Ministry announced that at least seven of the 12 German planes failed to return to their base after the convoy raid on October 21. The Admiralty announced that the shattered wreck of a German submarine had been found on the Goodwin Sands. There were no survivors.