TURKISH LOYALTY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20073, 20 October 1939, Page 7

TURKISH LOYALTY

AID FOR ALLIES SEAL ON FRIENDSHIP STATEMENT TO COMMONS

END OF NEGOTIATIONS MOSCOW’S PLAN FAILS i (Eloc. Ti‘l. Copyright—United Press Assn.) j (British Oflieinl Wireless.) Reccl. Noon. RUGBY, Oct. 10. i The debate in the House of Com- I mons this evening was interrupted : while the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville ! Chamberlain, made a statement on | the. signature at Ankara to-day of j the Angto-French-Turkish mutual \ assistance treaty. Mr. Chamberlain said: “The House I will remember that I made a state- : ment on May 12, that the British I Government and the Turkish Government had agreed to conclude a definite long-term agreement of a reciprocal character in the interests of national security. Pending tiie con elusion of the agreement, the British and Turkish Governments declared that in certain circumstances they would be prepared tb co-operate effectively and lend each other all the aid and assistance in their power. Mutual Trust “Subsequently it was decided that the long-term agreement should be in the form of a tripartite treaty between Britain, France, and Turkey. Though the negotiations which had been proceeding since May 12 have been protracted they have never shown any material difference in | views and throughout have been conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trifet and confidence. “Ag reement 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 Saracoglu Bey has been conducting in Moscow are now temporarily suspended, as Turkey felt that certain proposals made to her could not be reconciled with points already agreed between Turkey on the one hand and Britain and France on tire oilier. Nevertheless, if lias been announced, both from Moscow and Ankara that Turkey’s relations with Russia will continue as in the past to rest on a foundation of friendship. Valid for 15 Years “Meanwhile, Turkey has decided not to defer any longer the signa : ture of the Anglo-French-Turkcy treaty. i “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 that the three Governments concerned intend to pursue a long-term policy of collaboration. “I am sure that it will give the House great satisfaction to learn that i the negotiations have been brought . to this successful conclusion and that the 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.”