FIRM ASSURANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1941, Page 6

FIRM ASSURANCE

GIVEN BV TURKEY NO PASSAGE FOR GERMANS THROUGH TERRITORY. TROOPS & WAR MATERIALS BARRED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Daly. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. The Ankara correspondent of the British United Press reports that it is authoritatively stated that M. Saracoglu (Turkish Foreign Minister) assured Sir H. Knatchbull-Hugessen (British Ambasador) that Turkey will never permit the passage of German troops or war materials across her territory. It is understood that M. Saracoglu said he would give the British Embassy written assurances to that effect. The Vichy News Agency’s correspondent in Rome says Italy and Turkey are negotiating an important economic agreement, which is expected to be signed next week. The “Popolo D’ltalia” declared that Italy desires to resume relations with Turkey in a spirit of comprehensive collaboration.

NAZI DRIVE TO SECURE TURKISH ORES. IN VIOLATION OF PACT WITH BRITAIN. (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON. June 20. The Germans have launched a drive to secure Turkish chrome and copper ores, over which the British have options, but the ores are not exported, owing to transport difficulties. This, says the Ankara correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain, is the immediate outcome of the Turk-kish-German pact and may upset the British economic war here against Germany. The Germans claim that be-) cause Turkey has an undertaking to I abstain from direct or indirect action) against Germany, Turkey can hardly ’ continue to countenance a British mon-1 opoly over Turkish products. It is pointed out in London that while the pact requires Turkey to abstain from any action against Germany. it also safeguards Turkey's existing contractual engagements and it would appear that British-Turkish commercial arrangements are thereby covered, but the Germans doubtless will do their utmost to persuade Turkey otherwise.