ANGLO-TURKISH AGREEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 7

ANGLO-TURKISH AGREEMENT

MOVE POPULAR IN BRITAIN

INFLUENCE IN TALKS WITH RUSSIA BALKAN “PEACE EKONT” STRENGTHENED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (British Official Wireless) (Received May 14, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 13. The satisfaction with which a statement by the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) in the House of Commons yesterday on an understanding with Turkey was received is reflected in Press comment. The successful conclusion of the preliminary negotiations with Turkey—for a definitive agreement has yet to be drawn up—is linked by several commentators with the signature the day before at Bucharest of the Anglo-Rumanian trade agreement, and the two events are taken as both a reinforcement of deterrents to the use of force in international disputes, thus aiding the restoration of confidence, and a contribution to the peaceful development of economic exchange, thus laying the foundation of a prosperity in which all can share when peace is secured.

The great importance of the understanding with Turkey in its implications both in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans is everywhere emphasized and The Times and The Manchester Guardian in almost identical terms call attention to the significance of Turkey’s place in relation to the Arab world and her relations with the Soviet. In view of the latter both newspapers confidently look for more rapid progress in the Anglo-Russian negotiations, to which the prospective meeting at Geneva between the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax) and the Soviet Under-Secretary (M. Vladimir Potemkin), it is suggested, should also make a valuable contribution.

The Times deals by anticipation, with charges that, the new agreement is an addition to the “encirclement” of Germany, which reports from Berlin show have in fact been put forward. The Times asks how British and Turkish opposition to encroachment upon the rights and liberties of neighbouring nations can be regarded as encirclement of Germany, and it claims that German antagonism to this development is entirely unwarranted on any grounds save only that German policy in SouthEast Europe should not really be as pacific as German spokesmen constantly assure the world it is.. The great material and strategic importance of this reinforcement of the anti-aggression front, as The Daily Telegraph calls it, is not overlooked in present-day comment. These factors are fully discused by The Daily Telegraph itself and by several other newspapers, both in their present-day implications and against the lessons of the past war.

The News Chronicle ends with the observation that “in the Great War the friendship of Turkey to Germany was certainly more important than the alliance of Italy to Britain and France,” and it adds: “If the exchange had to be made there are no military grounds for regretting it.”

SIMILAR PACT WITH FRANCE? QUESTION OF SANJAK 7 OF ALEXANDRETTA (Received May 14, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 14. The Central News Agency learns on high authority that an agreement between France and Turkey similar to that between Britain and Turkey will be concluded within the next fortnight. It will contain references to the Sanjak of Alexandretta, which will come under Turkish rule when the agreement is enforced.

The French High Commissionder for Syria (General Puaux) in a broadcast said: “France remains faithful to the promise she gave Syria of independence. She desires an agreement as soon as possible with the Syrian Government on the basis of principles already agreed.”