World News in Story and Picture

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 142, 18 June 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

World News in Story and Picture

AN ITALIAN GIBRALTAR. The naval correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," Mr. Hector Bywater, says that in spite of rigid Italian censorship it is known that the Dodecanese island, I.ero, was occupied by Italy after the Libyan war and converted into a most powerful naval and air fortress. It is claimed to be stronger than Malta and second only to Gibraltar. —Cable. For a long time it has been known that Italy was constructing massive fortifications on this island and that is one of the reasons why Turkey wishes to become greater friends with Britain, a feeling reciprocated ] by Britain. The Dodecanese Islands are in the Aegean Sea, close to the Asia Minor coast of Turkey. The principal island is a most romantic one, as it was once the home of the medieval Knights of Rhodes, and many of their massive and imposing buildings •till remain as a monument to their activities. In 1912, at a time when Turkey was down on her knees after being heavily defeated in the last Balkan war, whicli ended so disastrously for her, Italy suddenly attacked her. Turkey could offer little or no resistance and Italy seized the Turkish

North African colony of Tripoli, the I ancient granary of Rome (now known as Libya) and the Dodecanese Islands. Turkey never forgave Italy for striking her when she was down. On the other hand Italy does not forget that among promises made to her to bring her in on the Allied side in the Great War was the promise of a slice of Turkish territory in Asia Minor. She did not receive it, but she still covets it, and that is what Turkey fears. These two facts keep Turkey and Italy on unfriendly terms. For a long time, too, Britain and Turkey were not at all friendly. However, as a result of the Italian seizure of Ethiopia they began to draw closer. Turkey was afraid that Italy might attempt: to seize that portion of Asia Minor promised her in 1814, and. therefore, when Britain and Italy nearly came to blob's over Ethiopia Turkey only too willingly offered Britain the use of all her harbours for the Royal Navy. Since then friendship has grown and Bri-

World Events Explained.

By ARPAD SZIGETVARY.

tain is lending Tiirkey a lot of money | she badly needs, as well as supplying hpr with other supplies she requires. Turkey is strengthening her fortifications along her coast opposite the Italian-owned Dodecanese Islands. Great Britain has established a naval station at Cyprus, r large island which is near to Lero andwhich is owned by Britain. Now, work it out for yourselves. The Italians at Lero, the Turks on the coast opposite and the British in Cyprus. Let me know by letter care of "Enzed Junior" what you have decided, and then we can discuss the question. If you are in any way a bit puzzled about things which concern foreijm countries write to me, and I will do my best to answer your questions. CHINA'S MOVE TO THE INTERIOR. The Japanese are attempting to <*npture Hankow, on the River, where part of the Chinese Government ha* been situated.

On this account the' sent of the Chinese Government has bee* removed to Chungking.—Cable. This merely follows the deeinot made at the outset of the war with Japan, and does not by any manner of means suggest that the Chinese are about to be defeated. All along the Chinese idea hae been to offer resistance to the Japanese and then suddenly retire further into the country, and therefore drawing the enemy after them. By successive retreats the Chinese plan to draw the Japanese right into the heart of China. China is a vast country, as you know. Chungking is about 2000 miles from Shanghai, and yet only about half-way to the border of China. The further the Chinese retreat the more difficult is. will be for the Japanese to get their supplies of ammunition, food and all - the other things a modern army needs. On the other hand, the Chinese will be nearer the source of supplies for the ammunition, guns and aeroplanes they so badly need. The largest supplies are eaid to arrive ffom Russia, through Siberia, and from other countries through French Indochina. Therefore you can see that the further the Chinese retreat the greater will be their powers of resistance and the greater will be the grave difficulties facing the Japanese.