MARTIAL LAW IN TURKEY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21820, 25 November 1940, Page 5

MARTIAL LAW IN TURKEY

EFFECT OF WAR IN GREECE Complications May Arise By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 24, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. Agency reports from Istanbul state that the Turkish Government has declared martial law in virtually all parts of European Turkey. According to a message from Istanbul the announcement followed a three hour Cabinet meeting when it was deemed necessary to proclaim martial law for one month in the districts of Istanbul, Kirklareli, Edirne, Teklrdag, Canakkale and Korcaeli. The Government forsees the possibility of complications arising from the Italo-Greek war which might affect Turkey, and Turkey has consistently acted on die principle that it is wise to keep defence preparations one step ahead of international developments. Martial law covers almost all of European Turkey including the district of Istanbul to Izmit which is a naval base “in view of the political situation.” A ' message from Ankara says that the Turkish Foreign Minister (M. Saracoglu) separately conferred with the British and Greek Ambassadors and then with von Papen for an hour. Reports that the Turkish Government has applied martial law to Thrace and the district of Istanbul as far as Izmit is without confirmation in official quarters in London, but there is no inclination to doubt the accuracy of the reports. Such a measure, if taken, is regarded as marking the concern felt in Turkey at recent developments In the Balkans and the possibility of further moves by Germany in her efforts to impose a new order in Europe which might well threaten Turkey’s integrity.