The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1940. TURKEY ON GUARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1940, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1940. TURKEY ON GUARD.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that reeds resistanot. For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The Turkish Government has invoked a national defence law which, when passed earlier in the year, was meant to be invoked if a probability arose of the nation entering war, or of a war between foreign nations affecting Turkey. This action is equivalent to the proclamation of a state of emergency. It is too early yet to say whether it has been taken because of a threat felt to be imminent, or as a warning of Turkey's alertness and readiness to meet any attack. This is not the first time in this war that a neutral nation has stood to arms. Holland has done so twice, and it is arguable that her action was influential in deterring the Nazis from attacking her on each occasion. But the Turks, unlike the Hollanders, have no frontier with Germany. Their action implies a fear of an attack through another neutral country, which country would either allow the passage of Nazi troops or would be speedily overwhelmed by them. The Bulgarian report that British officers are assisting to extend the fortifications of Adrianople—a report to be treated with reserve because it has been published in Berlin—perhaps indicates the direction from which an attack is apprehended. However, there is no news yet of consultations between Britain, France and Turkey,'■, which are provided for in such, circumstances. Meanwhile the Turks' axe being warned that the spring: will bring a bitter struggle, 'T»uty*it& outcome is already known, because the democracies are successfully carrying out their task." : •'..%, ,

The importance of the jffteen-year pact of mutual assistance, signed by Britain,. France and ■ in October, will now be more apparent. Under it, Britain and /France undertook to help the Turks if they are the victims of aggression by a European Power, or in other circumstances in which the Tui'ks are involved. Turkey for her part will aid Britain and France if there is war in the Mediterranean, or if they are called on to fulfil their guarantees to Rumania and Greece. Turkey retained the right to control the Dardanelles. This last provision would be particularly useful, in fact, indispensable, if the Allies found it necessary to help Rumania. The treaty gives ho positive protection against a Russian invasion of southeastern Europe, nor is there any hint as to the probable Turkish attitude if such an invasion were attempted obviously in concert with the Nazis. But the report that the Turks are discussing the co-ordination of their military forces, under the Allied commanders, indicates that the treaty arrangements are being pursued as expected. General Weygand and General Wavell, the Allied commanders in the Middle East, were both in Ankara when the treaty w r as negotiated, and it is believed that their assurances that Turkey, unlike Poland, would not be left to fight Germany alone, finally induced the Turkish Government to cast in their lot with the Allies.