DIPLOMATIC BATTLE IN PROGRESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21449, 13 September 1939, Page 7

DIPLOMATIC BATTLE IN PROGRESS

Allied Strategy in Europe Preservation Of Neutra 1 Bloc United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Cop v right (Received '■‘ptember 12, 6. ) p.m.) NEW YORK, Septemb-r 11. The London correspondent of the “New York Times” states that Allied diplomacy is fighting to keep neutral states in South east Europe strong and independent. A diplomatic battle has been going on since the declaratio’ of war. It a iris at the creation of a bloc of neutral powers from the Carpathians to the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea to the Adriatic. The Turkish Amabassador in Lbridon is one of the chief strategists. The British acknowledge thdt one of the keys to peace in the Balkans is to strengthen Turkish diplomacy. There is confidence that Turkey will act skilfully and may serve Britain better at present by keeping the Balkans neutral than by allowing them to be involved, requiring a heavy outlay of British money, manpower and support. Each has raw materials and strategic positions that Germany covets. It may be better to let the materials go to Germany in driblets than to risk entire loss by invasion. The Turks believe that all the South-east can keep neutral, becoming a rampart against further German attempts to dominate Europe. On this basis Turkey is fighting a diplomatic battle and Britain is encouraging her. The Prime Minister of Turkey said Turkey was out of the war, and hoped the conflagration would avoid her. There were no direct Turkish- German political differences.