OFFER OF RIFLES

Southland Times, Issue 19939, 4 August 1926, Page 5

OFFER OF RIFLES

MUNITIONS FOR TURKEY PROPOSED BRITISH DEAL NEGOTIATIONS DENIED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 pjn.) London, Angust 2. In the House of Commons, Sir Austen Chamberlain, replying to a question, denied that there had been any negotiations, direct or indirect, between the Government and Turkey for the sale of 100.000 rifles to Turkey. There had been an inquiry by private firms, but nothing had materialised. There was nothing in international obligations to prevent British firms from supplying Turkey with armaments, and nothing at the present time to cause him to prohibit such export to Turkey.—A. and N.Z. DAILY CHRONICLE’S CLAIMS. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.i London, August 3. The Daily Chronicle, commenting on Sir Austen Chamberlain's reply, claims that it holds documentary evidence proving that he was misinformed. The actual sale of munitions was to have been from the Government to a Birmingham firm, but the Government knew the firm was only buying to re-sell and had expressly authorised the resale to Turkey. “Sir Austen Chamberlain is correct in saying there is nothing in the law of the nations to prevent a sale or resale, but if he means there is no strong moral political objections we entirely disagree. Do Ministers recognise how much the cause of world peace stands or falls with the cause of disarmament?’’ The Chronicle emphasises: “The munitions concerned are actually the property of the Government located in Government stores.”—A. and N.Z. The Daily Chronicle protested against Britain, through a Birmingham firm offering to sell Turkey 100.000 unused rifles and bayonets of the 1914 pattern and 100,000,000 cartridges. It said:—“This is being done with Sir Austen Chamberlain’s approval. The offer has not yet been accepted, but it has not been withdrawn. It is true the offer does not infringe the letter of the Covenant of the League of Nations, but it is a deplorable departure on the part of Britain, which has always declined to sell modern military material, except for breaking-up purposes, though other States have sold armaments for the purpose of bolstering ententes and alliances, but Britain’s rule of abstention has been an influence for world peace. The sale of arms to Turkey must cause alarm in Greece, Bulgaria and Iraq. The price asked is £950,000, payment being required in advance.”