TURKEY'S CHOICE..

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 247, 19 October 1939, Page 6

TURKEY'S CHOICE..

Few small countries occupy so masterly a situation as Turkey, and it is small wonder that since, under Ataturk, she regained internal strength, her friendship has been sought by powerful suitors. Russia was the first and has been the most constant. Next in the field was Nazi Germany, which by 1936 had obtained almost a stranglehold on Turkish trade. The Turks, with good reason, feared Nazi political penetration, and, sought support elsewhere. They found it principally in Britain, and since 1936 Anglo-Turkish relations, lubricated by a British Government credit of £16,000,000, have been smooth and friendly. Following this credit Turkey accepted a further loan of £12,500,000 from Germany, and in January of this year obtained concessions from France. The net result, nn observer remarked last May, was that "at little or no cost to herself she is the richer by £28,500,000 and the port of Alexnndretta; and, having accepted something from every one, she is in no way politically committed." But now, it seems, she has committed herself. Soviet Russia's demands on the Baltic States have been easy to j press, because those States had no powerful supporter. But Turkey, though willing to negotiate, all the while knew that she could fall back, if necessary, on the support of Britain and France. Finding the Soviet's demands excessive, she is now apparently about to sign with Britain and France the agreements which have been awaiting her signature. If she has at length made her choice,', her record of fidelity to past engage-' men fa in.-pires confidence that she' will be faithful to the Allies. j