ON THE BORDERLINE

Evening Star, Issue 25227, 14 July 1944, Page 3

ON THE BORDERLINE

TURKEY AND THE WAR EARLY BREAK WITH GERMANY FORESEEN (Rec. 9.45 a.m.) (RUGBY, July 13. News from Turkey leaves no doubt that the Government is again considering Turkey's international position. The return to their own capitals of the German and Turkish Ambassadors is an outward manifestation of diplomatic activity the outcome of which cannot be set with confidence or predicted. Wellinformed London correspondents are of the opinion that Turkey will shortly break off relations with Germany. No official comment is forthcoming in London, but it is noted that Mr Cordell Hull remarked yesterday that Turkey had been on the borderline from time to time, and it might be that she was again-. It is, of course, no secret that Allied Governments have from time to time urged Turkey to take a positive part in the war in the spirit of her alliance with Britain. Their representations, however, showed little result until a few weeks ago, when Turkey prohibited the export of chrome to Germany and later stopped the passage of German war vessels through the Dardanelles. Since then the war has taken a more definitely favourable turn for the United Nations, and the weakening of Germany's military resources has been strikingly demonstrated on several fronts. It may well be that the Turkish Government will come to the conclusion that the time has arrived to declare her sympathies in a more practical manner. 'Such a decision would naturally involve previous consultation on various subjects with Allied Governments.