BRITISH AIM IN IRAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 38, 13 August 1941, Page 7

BRITISH AIM IN IRAN

DESIRE TO AVOID TROUBLE

NAZI TRADE TALKS AT STANDSTILL

LONDON, August 11. The recent British demarche conicerning German "fifth column" activities in Iran has been viewed with mixed feelings in Turkey, and political circles in Ankara seem to be worried over the situation, reports the correspondent of "The Times." With war clouds gathering on the Turkish horizon, any cause of more complications is extremely distasteful to the Turks, whose only desire is to ! keep out of trouble. , While they are generally suspicions of German innuendoes, the Turks are lending a more complaisant ear to hints that "the British demarche is merely a pretext for further demands with the ultimate object of th'e occupation of Iran in j order to establish contact with Russia, j The correspondent says that Iran has asked Turkey to appeal to Britain on her behalf, but Turkey is not disposed to do more than preach moderation. | Turkey believes that absolution might j be reached if the Germans who recently arrived in Iran and whose presence is not justified were inyited to leave. The negotiations between Germany and Turkey for a new trade agreement have come to a standstill, says the Ankara correspondent of "The Times." It is stated officially that the Minister of Trade is taking a holiday, but it seems that the causes of the postponement go deeper. It is more likely that the Turks have demurred to the German demands* which are considered excessive and dangerous. The German negotiators have been ordered to return. German circles in Budapest say that the time is not. ripe for economic negotiations with Turkey,- and that Germany is preferring to wait for clarification of the Russian situation, when it is hoped that Turkey will be more tractable.