Axis Forces Move Towards Turkey

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 208, 2 September 1941, Page 5

Axis Forces Move Towards Turkey

GERMAN ATTACK ON STRAITS FEARED LONDON, Aug. 31. Newspapers iri Moscow feature a (' -leva report that Italian troops aru massing on the Turkish frontiers with Greece and Bulgaria. Well-informed circles in Istanbul affirm that Germany intends to bring her total troops on the Turkish frontier to 300,000. They state that German officers are studying the terrain. General Chatnak, Commander-in-Cliief of the Turkish Army, declared to-day that the Turkish armies were equipped with the most modern arma-, incuts and were thoroughly trained. “They are ready,” ho said, “to fulfil to the last drop of blood any order from the Government for peace and security. ’ ’ The Turkish President, General Inonu, in a message to the army, declared: “Our armv is still our nation’s

General Chatnak, Commander-iu-Cliief of the Turkish Army, declared to-day that the Turkish armies were equipped with the most modern arma-. meats and were thoroughly trained. “They are ready,” ho said, “to fulfil to the last drop of blood any order from the Government for peace and security. ’ ’

The Turkish President, General Inonu, in a message to the army, declared: “Our army is still our nation’s greatest guarantee. ’ ’

When questioned regarding the reason for his probable departure for Germany on Tuesday, Franz von Papeu, Nazi Ambassador to Turkey, said he was obliged to go to Vienna for the removal of a stone from a kidney. He added: “{Stone or no stone, I must see the Fuhrer.”

The Istanbul correspondent of The Times says it is presumed that von Papen will be flying to Hitler’s headquarters in the Ukraine. His departure when Kroll, counsellor at the Embassy, also is absout must i/uve been prompted by most urgent motives. It is generally presumed that, having not seen Hitler and Ribbentrop since the beginning of the Russian war, von Papen fels he must consult them now, as their failure to smash tho Russian resistance and the course of events in Iran may compel Germany to alter lief plans.