UNEASE IN TURKEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 4 November 1942, Page 2

UNEASE IN TURKEY

VELLACOTT’S POST AN ENIGMA Not very long: ago Field Marshal (Rommel, while on a supposed health, furlough in Germany, told an audience in Berlin that his forces in North Africa had not reached the El Alamein line just to retreat again. They were ihere to press on to Alexandria and the Suez Canal, he said. It is early days to say definitely that his hopes and boast are already dashed. but if the tenor of broadcasts from Rome radio is to be accepted then Rommel's forces have a heavy hurdle to overcome to make them good. Rome talks of an army assembled by the United Nations such as Africa has never before seen, with armoured units in large quantity, and very heavy and eflicienr air support. It may be that Rome feels need of an alibi lest things go severely against the Axis forces in North Africa. With Germany finding it hard going in Russia and having been thrown heavily behind schedule in the 11)42

campaigns, there are signs of growing unease among peoples of the Middle East that a fresh blow may be struck in an endeavour to find an easier way to the oil of Iraq and Persia and to the German-Japanese place of assignment, the Persian Gulf. Turkey Worried

The speech made 10 the Turkish people a few days ago by their President, General Inonu, shows the feeling which is developing in Ankara. He stressed the intention of the country to maintain its steadfast neutrality, hut emphasized the increasing difficulties facing it. Turkey was, he said, nearer war today than when hostilities opened.

Turkey, so far spared actual hostilities, has nevertheless been the centre of some big diplomatic battles in the past three years. The notorious von Papen has worked strenuously to serve the ends of his Nazi masters, but all to no avail, unless the fact that Turkey has not taken the plunge on the side of the United Nations can be placed to the credit side of his ledger.

With only partial victories to give the German people, it would not be unlike Hitler to strike suddenly against Turkey with the idea of giving them something to offset the failure before Stalingrad aud the turning tide of events in Egypt. He might reckon, in addition, that there was a possibility of reaching his goal through Turkey and at the same time take the Russian defence of the Caucasus in the rear. Counter Measures

The appointment of Mr. Vellacott, a man of great scholarly attainments, to the post of Director of Political Warfare in the Middle East is accompanied by no explanation from London as to the trend of his duties. The ap»>oiiitluent has no precedent, if we except the minor relativity of the political officers used among tribesmen in India and other areas during colonization. It may l>e that special measures are now needed to consolidate the goodwill existing among the Arab and other races of the area, or it may be that a special department has been brought into existence to combat Nazi underground intrigue both among the Arabs and in Turkey.

Certain it is, that if General Alexander’s men succeed in their aim of rolling hack Rommel’s forces and ultimately force upon them a Dunkirk from the shores of Northern Africa, a

special watch will have to 'be kept on for a Nazi attempt by the alternative route suggested above. A desperate opponent would not shrink from desperate measures, aud the attack through Turkey might not be so desperate as it may appear.