NEW BASIS FOR ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 9

NEW BASIS FOR ALLIES

‘All-in’ Co-operation LONDON, ANKARA ATHENS Eden’s Consultations (British Official Wireless.) (Received March 4, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, March 3. The success of the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden’s mission to Turkey is the subject of much comment in the Press, where the excellent timing of the visit is noted. Mr. Eden’s visit to Turkey, says the “Daily Express,” has played an important part in upsetting the whole of Hitler’s carefully-laid diplomatic plans. The details of the Anglo-Turkish agreement are not disclosed, but, says “The Times,” the agreement clearly is a new basis for developing all-in cooperation with Greece. This, presumably, is the subject of the consultations which the British mission is conducting in Athens.

Britain’s relations with Bulgaria continue on the same basis as before Bulgaria’s adhesion to the tripartite pact and Mr. Bendel is still in Sofia. It is for him to decide the date.of his departure. “The Times” in a leading article on Bulgaria’s submission to Germany recalls that in IPIO, when Bulgaria threw in her lot with Germany, the act, inspired by territorial greed, was voluntary. In March, 1941, Nazi intimida-’ tion was the power which induced Bulgaria to accept the proposals which she had refused four months earlier; “but the tragedy of the indecision and pusillanimity is no less grave than the tragedy of ambition and covetousness.” Ready for Anything.

• “The culmination of the process of Nazi penetration has been counted in advance, and the presence of Mr. Eden and Mr. Bendel still in the Near East suggests that a fairly accurate guess has been made as to the moment when it will be snatched,” “The Times” continues. “The immediate effect of the Bulgarian collapse lias been merely to strengthen the Greek resolve to redouble her resistance and the Turkish faith in the value and solidarity of the British alliance. The military victories in Albania and Africa tire maintaining throughout the Near East unimpaired confidence in the fighting qualities of the Greek army and in the powers of the Royal Air Force. “Whatever is the nature of the threat resulting from the Nazi move into Bulgaria, it may be assumed tjiat Britain, Greece and Turkey are now well equipped for all eventualities. "The fate of Bulgaria, brings to an end for the duration of the war the independence of another small nation. Excluding Hungary, Bulgaria is the seventh country that has been swallowed up since the outbreak of the war by the insatiable Nazi war machine, but Rumania and Bulgaria alone share the shameful distinction of having signed away their independence.”