Evening star., 1939-05-12
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, May l2.-Great Britain
added strategic Turkey to her Euro
pean security lineup today as the
two governments pledged aid to each
other lin event of an act of aggres-
sion leading to war in the Mediter-
ranean area"
The pledges were announced in
the House of Commons by Prime
Minister Chamberlain pending con-
clusion of a 'definitive long-ter
agreement of reciprocal character in
the interest Of their national Sc
curity"
Asked whether an "act of aggression
leading to war in the Mediter-
ranean' meant an act of aggression
anywhere or only in the Mediter-
ranean, the Prime Minister side
: stepped with the answer:
ut means an act of aggression
which leads to war in the Medi-
| terranean area
simultaneously, Turkish Premier
Refik Saydam announced in the Ma
tional Assembly at Ankara that the
British-Turkish agreement for mu-
tual assistance in the Mediterranean
had been concluded.
Pending completion of the definite
agreement, the Prime Minister said,
"the British government and the
Turkish government declare that in
the event of an act of aggression
1oalipC n IN hn
area they would be prepared to CO.
operate effectively and lend each
other all aid and assistance in their
power"
Details Not Worked Out.
Mr.. Chamberlain indicated that
the details of the longer term agree
ment had not been fully worked out.
The announcement meant that
Britain had forged another link in
her chain of European security ar
rangements, the Turkish agree
ment supplementing British-French
pledges of support already given to
Poland, Rumania and Greece.
OF the Turkish agreement, Mr..
Chamberlain said:
This declaration is not directed
against any country. 1t is designed
to assure Great Britain and Turkey
of mutual aid and assistance should
the necessity arise.
1T was recognized by the two gov
ernments that certain matters re-
quire more precise definition, and
an examination of them is pro-
ceeding."
The two governments recognize
that it is also necessary to establish
security in the Balkans" the Prime
Minister continued, land they are
consulting together with the object
of achieving this purpose as speed
lily as possible
This arrangement does not pre-
clude either government from max
ing agreements with other countries
in the general interests of the con-
solidation of peace
Turkeys Position Strategic.
Turkey is regarded in London as
an invaluable ally in event of war
largely because of her strategic po-
sition in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Through the Dardanelles, she
holds the key to the Black Sea. She
also would be in position to come to
Britain's aid, if necessary, in Pales<
tine and Egypt.
Britain also is trying to obtain
Soviet Russia's adhesion to the bloc.
Clement R. Attlee, leader of the
Labor opposition in the House Of
Commons. expressed satisfaction
with Mr.. Chamberlain brief state
ment and asked if it would be fol-
lowed by Turko-British staff talks
| The Prime Minister said it would
not be until a full agreement had
been signed
France and Soviet Russia alsJ
have been negotiating pacts with
Turkey and British commentators
were confident that an agreement
between Britain and Soviet Russia
was near.
British newspapers. meanwhile,
praised the declaration by Mr.
tSee LONDON, Page A-4)