PART OF RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1943, Page 3

PART OF RUSSIA

BESSARABIA & BALTIC STATES CATEGORICAL SOVIET CLAIM. RELATIONS WITH TURKEY. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) WASHINGTON, February 13. The Soviet Embassy has circulated an English translation of an article which appeared in the Moscow “Pravda,” categorically claiming that Bessarabia and the Baltic States are legally part of Russia. The “New York Times” comments that the pamphlet has occasioned deep interest in diplomatic circles, because the claim has hitherto been asserted only by implication. The “Times” adds: “The State Departmnet has not commented officially, but, from the broader standpoint, the issue poses the problem of Russian collaboration after the wai; which is causing much thinking ip Washington as the Soviet armies continue their headlong progress against the Nazis.” (The “Pravda’ is the official organ of the Russian Communist Party executive.) Russian circles expect an early statement on Russian-Turkish relations, marking the opening of a new period of friendship, says the Ankara, correspondent of the “Sunday Times.” The Russian-Turkish contacts began shortly after Mr Churchills visit to Adana, the Russian Ambassador, M. Vinogradov, entertaining at dinner Premier Saracoglu, two other Turkish Ministers, and the British and American Ambassadors. Subsequently the Turkish Ambassador to Moscow, M. Achikalin, was recalled to Ankara, while en route to Russia, for conference with M. Saracoglu. Commenting on Mr Churchill’s references to Turkey, the “Daily Telegraph” says: “Three years ago it took us all our time to equip a dozen divisions in France, not all complete, and not a single armoured division. Now we can guarantee to equip a million men in Asia Minor, on top of our own armies in Africa and India, not to speak of armies still at home, of munitions sent on a scale to fit out whole armies in Russia, and of not inconsiderable supplies flown through to China.” It is reported from Ankara today that the Turkish Minister of Communications has announced that Britain will immediately deliver six 10,000-ton ships, 15 locomotives, and 400 goods wagons.