SOVIET & TURKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 October 1939, Page 7

SOVIET & TURKEY

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE PACT PROPOSED SAFEGUARDING THE BLACK SEA. “IZVESTIA” ATTACKS BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, October 4. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says it is authoritatively stated that Russia is now proposing a pact of mutual assistance with Turkey to be invoked only in the event of attack by a third Power. The reason advanced for the proposal is that the Soviet Union is primarily interested in preventing any invasion of the Black Sea through the Dardanelles. It is understood that the Soviet’s proposals do not involve Turkey’s abandonment of her obligations to Britain and France. The "New York Times” correspondent in Moscow, Mr Gedye, says the Soviet’s invitation to the Lithuanians to visit Moscow is said to be couched in more friendly terms than might been expected. The Lithuanians do not seem anxious concerning the demands likely to be made. The hope is even expressed unofficially that Lithuania may realise her dream of recovering her former capital, Vilna, which Poland seized. Actually, however, it seems that the utmost Lithuania can hope for is a privileged commercial position in Vilna in exchange for granting to the Soviet privileges on the Lithuanian railways and at her ports. The “Izvestia” today violently attacks Britain, accusing her of trying to use important strategic points in the Baltic as naval bases against the Soviet.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister and the Latvian Foreign Minister each had a two-hours’ interview with M. Molotov, the Soviet Foreign Minister, in Moscow on Tuesday night, a radio message states. The Turkish Foreign Minister’s talks have been suspended for two days, it is being understood that he is awaiting instructions from his Government.