EVENT WELCOMED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1939, Page 5

EVENT WELCOMED

STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS MR CHAMBERLAIN'S SURVEY OF NEGOTIATIONS. THE ATTEMPT TO BRING IN RUSSIA. CBritish Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.18 a.m.) RUGBY. October 19. A House of Commons’ debate this evening was interrupted while the Premier (Mr Chamberlain) made a statement on the signature at Ankara today of an Anglo-French-Turkish Mutual Assistance Treaty. Mr Chamberlain said: '‘The House will remember that I made a statement on May 12, that the British Government and the Turkish Government had agreed to conclude a definite longterm agreement of a reciprocal character in the interests of national security. Pending contusion of this agreement the British and Turkish Governments declared that in certain circumstances they would be prepared to co-operate effectively and lend each other all aid and assistance in their power. Subsequently it was decided that a long-term agreement should be in the form of a tripartite treaty between Britain. France and Turkey. Though the negotiations, which have 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 trust and confidence.

“Agreement on the terms of the treaty was reached some three weeks ago. but the signature was postponed, with the concurrence of the British and French Governments, as it was hoped by the Turkish Government that a visit by the Turkish Foreign Minister to Moscow might result in the conclusion between Turkey and Russia of a parallel treaty. The negotiations which M Saracoglu has been conducting in Moscow are now temporarily suspended, as Turkey felt that certain proposals made lo he)' could not be reconciled with points already agreed between Turkey, on the one hand, and Britain and France on the other. Nevertheless it has been announced both from Moscow and Ankara that Turkey’s relations with Russia continue, as in the past, to rest on a foundation of friendship. “Meanwhile Turkey has decided nut

to defer any longer the signature of the Anglo-French-Turkish Treaty. 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 a solid testimony that the three governments are concerned to pursue a long-term policy in collaboration. lam sure it will give the House great satisfaction to learn that 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 whoso people we have the highest regard.”