Directs Turks’ Attention To Passage Of Arms For Iraq

Northern Advocate, 22 May 1941, Page 6

Directs Turks’ Attention To Passage Of Arms For Iraq

(Received 3 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. BRITAIN HAS DIRECTED TURKEY’S ATTENTION TO THE PASSAGE OF ARMS AND MUNITIONS FROM SYRIA TO IRAQ BY THE ALEPPO-MOSUL RAILWAY ACROSS TURKEY, SAYS “THE TIMES” DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT. The Turkish Government is apparently more fearful than some of-its military advisers, and believes that intervention would result ini Iraqi rebels preventing the despatch of arms to Turkey by the Basra-Mosul route.

It does not seem to realise that, while the rebellion persists, there is no likelihood of fhe rebels allowing the traffic, and it is most improbable that Germany and Italy would sanction such a concession.

The isolation of Turkey is an important part of the Axis plan for the conquest of the Near and Middle 'East, and, the less wellarmed Turkey is. the easier it will be to isolate her.

The Russo-German conversat an agreement at the expense of Tn

ions are believed to have included rkev or Iran or both.

Threat From Russia

“The Times” Ankara correspondent says the Turks would like to see more action in Iraq, but are fairly confident that the British will be able to prevent the German conquest either in Iraq or Syria, provided there is not an unexpected intervention by a third party. This refers to Russia. The possibility is mentioned that Russia will give German troops a passage through Bakum and Iran to Iraq.

The Russo-German negotiations provide a lever for bringing pressure on Turkey. The Germans at present are not demanding anything from Turkey except the largest possible extension of mutual trade. Sixteen Axis merchantmen passed westward through the Bosporus after the defeat of Greece. The cargoes were suspect, but the Turks have no right of control.