OF HAPPY AUGURY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1939, Page 5

OF HAPPY AUGURY

BRITISH UNDERTAKING WITH TURKEY BEARING ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA. APPROVING PRESS COMMENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. May 13. The satisfaction with which Mr Chamberlain’s statement on the understanding with Turkey was received is reflected in Press comment. The successful conclusion of the preliminary negotiations with Turkey—for a definitive agreement has yet to be drawn up—i s linked by several commentators with the signature the day before in Bucharest of the ' Anglo-Rumanian trade agreement and the two events are taken as constituting both a reinforcement of deterrents to the use of force in international disputes, thus aiding the restoration of confidence, and a contribution to the peaceful development of economic exchange, thus laying the foundation of a prosperity in which all can share when peace Is secured. The great importance of the understanding with Turkey in its implications both in the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans is everywhere stressed and “The Times” and the “Manchester Guardian” in almost identical terms call attention to the significance of Turkey’s place in relation to the Arab .world and her relations with the Soviet. In view of the latter, both newspapers confidently look for more rapid progress in the Anglo-Russian negotiations, to which the prospective meeting in Geneva between Lord Halifax and M. Potemkin, it is suggested, should also make a valuable contribution. AN UNWARRANTED CHARGE. "The Times" deals by anticipation with charges that the new agreement is an addition to the “encirclement” of Germany 'ivhich reports from Berlin show have, in fact, been put forward. “The Times” asks how Anglo-Turkish opposition to encroachment upon the rights and liberties of neighbouring nations can be regarded as an encirclement of Germany, and claims that German antagonism to this development is entirely unwarranted on any grounds save only that German policy in south-east Europe should not really be as pacific as German spokesmen constantly assure the world it is. The great material and strategic importance of this reinforcement of the anti-aggression front, as the “Daily Telegraph” calls it, is not overlooked in the Press comment. These factors are fully discussed by the "Daily Telegraph” itself and by several other papers both in their present-day implications and against the lessons of the past war. The “News Chronicle” concludes with an observation that "In the Great War the friendship of Turkey to Germany was certainly more important than the alliance of Italy to Britain and France,” and adds that, "If an exchange had to be made there would be no military grounds for regretting it.”

TURKISH AIM MARCH SIDE BY SIDE WITH BRITAIN. PREVENTING DICTATORSHIP OVER MEDITERRANEAN. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. ANKARA, MAY 13. The Prime Minister, speaking in Parliament before the approval of the Anglo-Turkish agreement, urged wholehearted collaboration with Britain in order to prevent the establishment of a dictatorship over the Mediterranean. “I ask the Assembly’s authorisation to march side by,side with Britain,” he said. “Having passed a great test, the bonds of friendship with Britain constitute one of the, bases of our policy.” LEAD FOLLOWED FRANCE TO MAKE SIMILAR AGREEMENT. TURKISH RULE IN SANJAK OF ALEXANDRETTA. LONDON, May 14. The Central News learns on high authority that an agreement between France and Turkey similar to that between Britain and Turkey will be concluded within the next fortnight. It will contain references to the Sanjak of Alexandretta, which will come under Turkish rule when the agreement is enforced.

AGREEMENT SOUGHT INDEPENDENCE OF SYRIA. BEIRUT, May 13. The French High Commissioner. M. Puaux, in a broadcast said France remained faithful to her promise to give Syria independence. In this connection she desired an agreement as soon as possible with the Syrian Government on the basis of the principles already agreed upon.