TURKISH MISSION TO MOSCOW

Southland Times, Issue 23931, 25 September 1939, Page 7

TURKISH MISSION TO MOSCOW

Mutual Assistance Pact Expected

POSSIBLE EFFORT TO CHECK GERMANY

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received September 24, 6.30 p.m.)

LONDON, September 23. Authoritative sources have expressed the opinion that the Turkish Foreign Minister (M. Sukru Sarajoglu), who is visiting Moscow, will conclude a pact of mutual assistance with Russia which, however, will complement Turkey s agreements with Britain and France and might even be used to achieve a reconciliation between Russia and Britain and France, says the Istanbul correspondent of the Associated Press of America. The Istanbul correspondent of the News Chronicle says that M. Sarajoglu said that Turkey approved the RussoTurkish negotiations as evidence of Russia’s intention to prevent Germanic aggression in the Balkans and that Russia herself had no Balkan demands which could not be negotiated. Russia’s aim to employ a military understanding as a basis for economic penetration and the diffusion of the communist idea is indicated by the announcement that the Turkish Minister of Agriculture and a party of ists will follow M. Sarajoglu to Moscow.

It is stated in authoritative circles in London that although Russia has declared her neutrality so far as a major war is concerned military experts would not be surprised by any development. Russia appears to have invaded Poland I to “share the swag,” but it is clear that she does not trust Germany, for which reason she may possibly even yet insist on a buffer State.

An interesting light on Russian policy is shed by reports from M. Joseph Stalin’s conversations with representatives of the States in which Moscow has displayed particular interest. It is said that M. Stalin warned a Bulgarian dele - gation—before the signing of the Russo-German Treaty—to beware of being drawn into the war on the side of Germany, because she was fat'.'d to be defeated.

Thus, the impression has been formed in Paris that M. Stalin’s policy is based on the idea that Britain will finally win, but that he wants to prevent her from winning cheaply, because this would lead to British and French hegemony in Europe, which would be dangerous to future Russian development. RUSSIAN RAPPROCHEMENT WITH HUNGARY (Received September 24, 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK; September 23. Russia and Hungary have re-estab-lished diplomatic relations, which were broken off in January when Hungary agreed to sign the Anti-Comintem Pact, says the Budapest correspondent of the Associated Press of America. BULGARIAN TRADE PACT WITH RUSSIA (Received September 24,11.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 23. Bulgaria is concluding a pact with Russia, says the Sofia correspondent of the Associated Press of America, whereby Russia will take virtually all Bulgaria’s exports. Two-thirds of these previously went to Germany.