TREATY TO LAST FOR 15 YEARS

Southland Times, Issue 23954, 21 October 1939, Page 5

TREATY TO LAST FOR 15 YEARS

LONGTERM POLICY OE COLLABORATION

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF MOSCOW NEGOTIATIONS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, October 19. A statement on the signature of the mutual assistance pact between Britain, France and Turkey was made in the House of Commons today by the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain). “The House will remember that I made a statement on May 12 that the British Government and the Turkish Government had agreed to conclude a definite long-term agreement of a reciprocal character in the interests of national security,” said Mr Chamberlain. "Pending the conclusion of the agreement the British and Turkish Governments declared that in certain circumstances they would be prepared to co-operate effectively and lend each other all the aid and assistance in their power. Subsequently they decided that the long-term agreement should be in the form of a tripartite treaty between Britain, France and Turkey. Though the negotiations which have been proceeding since May 12 have been protracted they have never shown any material difference in views and throughout were conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence. j “Agreement on the terms of- the treaty was reached some three weeks ago, but signature was postponed with the concurrence of the British and French Governments as it was hoped by the Turkish Government that the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to Moscow might result in the conclusion between Turkey and Russia of a parallel treaty. The negotiations which Sarajoglu Bey has been conducting in Moscow have now been temporarily suspended as Turkey felt that certain proposals made to her could not be reconciled with the points already agreed upon between Turkey on the one hand and Britain and France on the other. Nevertheless, it had been announced both from Moscow and Ankara that Turkey’s relations with Russia continue, as in the past, to rest on a foundation of friendship. “Meanwhile, Turkey has decided not to defer any longer the signature of the Anglo-French-Turkish Treaty. I would call attention to the fact that the treaty is valid for a minimum period of 15 years. It is, therefore, no temporary arrangement to meet a pressing emergency, but solid testimony of the three Governments concerned to pursue a long-term policy of collaboration. I am sure it will give - the House great satisfaction to learn that negotiations have been brought to this successful conclusion and that a seal has been set on our close and cordial relations with a country for the qualities and character of whose people we have the highest regard.” The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) sent the following telegram to the Turkish Prime Minister (Saddam Bey):— “I would like to convey to your Excellency a personal message of good wishes and congratulations on the conclusion of the Anglo-French-Turkish treaty of mutual assistance signed today. I welcome this additional proof of the resolve of our three countries to collaborate in furthering our common interests and look forward to a continuance of this co-operation in pursuing the policy laid down in the treaty we have just signed.”

CANADA’S WAR EFFORT TRAINING EMPIRE PILOTS HUGE EXPENDITURE WILL BE INVOLVED (Received October 21, 1.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 20. The Ottawa correspondent of The New York Times giving details of the scheme to train British airmen, revealed since the arrival of the head of the British air mission to Canada, states that the. scheme is on a larger scale than first imagined. The plan involves the construction of 100 aerodromes on the prairies where training is feasible in all seasons.

The men will begin to arrive a fortnight after the Australian and . New Zealand missions early in November and will use facilities at Borden and other established centres until the new aerodromes are ready. Canada will have full control of schools, and the appointment of instructors, but the nucleus of the latter is coming from England. It is expected that the present advanced course of eight weeks will be accelerated. It is estimated that 700,000,000 dollars will be needed for the construction of aerodromes, barracks and training aeroplanes. The preliminary cost will probably be the object of the first war loan. There is little doubt about the success of this since the proceeds will be devoted to a project so stimulating to the imagination. Moreover, since the maintenance of the scheme will require 500,000,000 dollars annually it is possible that Canada’s expenditures for the air alone will equal the cost of all branches for the Great War. There is evidence that Canada also will benefit from the decentralization of British naval activities. Canadians are steadily increasing co-operation for convoys and other anti-submarine activities. It is understood that this requires doubling the personnel, improving port facilities, constructing antisubmarines minesweepers and possibly larger battleships if and when the bombing of British ports is intensified.

GERMAN AVIATORS WASHED_ASHORE TWO MEN SHOT DOWN IN TUESDAY’S RAID LONDON, October 19. Two German aviators were washed ashore at Whitby in a collapsible rubber dinghy. They were arrested. They were shot down in Tuesday’s raid. One was wounded in the leg and both were exhausted. The two aviators had been drifting helplessly in the North Sea since Tuesday evening. Leaving his wounded companion in the boat ashore the other man struggled up a cliff 200 ft high and entered a railway tunnel, where he encountered a civil guard. The aviator inquired whether he was near the Firth of Forth. He said he had a comrade below. A rescue party carried the wounded man to the top of the cliff in a stretcher. The prisoners were aged 22 years. They said two other members of the crew were killed during the raid.