The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1941 THE NAZIS AND TURKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 6

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1941 THE NAZIS AND TURKEY.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the Krovg that reeds resistance, For the future «» the distance, And the good that tee can do.

Tnerea.-ingly frequent reports, more

and more specific, seem to leave little reason for doubting that German

military forces now in Rumania will soon, and probably suddenly, march

through Jiulgaria to attack the (i rocks. If they do tlicy are unlikely lo meet any resistance from the Bulgarian Government. A month ngo efforts were by the Government's opponents to force it to conclude a mutual-assistance pact with Soviet Russia, as an alternative to making an agreement with the Axis Powers. Whether the Soviet was ready to sign such a pact is doubtful, but recent reports seem to make it clear that those Bulgarians who advocated it have been suppressed and the whole country, under a tight censorship, is kept in ignorance of the degree of its Government's acquiescence in Nazi [plans. These plans, it appears, are j already so far developed that Bulgaria could not now resist their execution even if she wished. For that reason there is increasing interest in the attitude of Turkey. The Turkish leaders have repeatedly said that their nation's vital interests extend beyond her frontiers to a "zone of security," which includes both Bulgaria and Greece. So the groat and unanswered question is:— If the Germans enter Bulgaria, will the Turks march to oppose them?

The latest pronouncement on the subject is by the Turkish Foreign Minister, who, fi'rst reiterating that "Turkey remains faithful to her allies"—including Britain, says she "could not in any way be indifferent to foreign activities in her zone of security. Turkey will offer armed opposition to all aggression directed against her territorial integrity and independence." In this phraseology characteristic of diplomacy, there is room for the conclusion that if the Turkish Government is convinced, or chooses to be convinced, that German troop movements are not directed against "her integrity and independence," she may not attempt to impede them. But the Turks are probably as well aware as anybody in the world that German assurances on that point would bo worth less than nothing once the German forces j had established themselves in Greek territory. Turkey is faced with the J dilemma that other neutrals have faced. Deeply suspecting German aims, as she must, should she wait, and risk the renewal of German pressure from a position more advantageous to Germany, or should she, anticipating the threat to herself, join Greece if Greece is attacked? Possibly her Government's mind is not made up. Possibly, too, the Germans are not so closo to action as reports would suggest. Some of these reports, almost' certainly, are fabricated in Germany with the object of Ascertaining what Turkey will or will not do when the crisis comes. The Germans played that game before invading the Netherlands. But the Turks are not making any noticeable response to such "feelers." They are no doubt hoping for time, during which, while Italian resistance on the I Greek front weakens, British forces, particularly in the air, will be further increased. Nothing will more certainly assure Turkey's resistance than the knowledge that Britain is close beside her with 'planes, guns and ships, to give effect to her promises. This was not possible with Rumania; it will be possible with Turkey.