The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1941 German-Turkish Treaty.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21994, 20 June 1941, Page 4

The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1941 German-Turkish Treaty.

IN its comment on the signing of the treaty of friendship between Germany and Turkey the Daily Mail said: “News of the pact is received regretfully in London but Turkey’s position is understood.” Since Hitler’s victorious sweep through the Balkans it was accepted as a certainty that Turkey sooner rather than later would fall into the Axis net. German mastery of the Balkans became so complete, and accompanied as it was by the occupation of the islands in the Aegean which commanded the Dardanelles, the best Turkey could hope for was that Hitler’s demands upon her would not be excessive. As far as it is possible for her to do so, Turkey will remain faithful to her commitments to Great Britain, but however willing she might have been to make a stand against the Axis there could be no doubt after the Balkan campaign, and its later developments, that Turkey would be of Jittle service to Great Britain even as an active ally. A glance at the present position of Turkey is ienough to show why it was impossible for her to ignore Germany’s demands. Her frontier in Europe is covered by the full might of the German Army and Air Force. Her Aegean coastline is similarly masked. Although the mission of the Imperial Forces in Syria is being satisfactorily accomplished, Germany, during the negotiation of the treaty, would have been able to give a misleading account of impending events there. All that was needed to complete the full encirclement of Turkey was a concession from the Soviet allowing German troops to move into Trans-Caucasia. However, without this Turkey’s position was almost hopeless strategically. It is suggested from London that the difficulties bf the Turkish Government were increased by the fact that the re-drmament programme of the country is incomplete. It had been hoped to obtain military supplies from France, but with the French collapse that chance vanished. Britain did what she could to become a substitute sotfree of supply, but, naturally, the first thoughts of Britain had to be for the Imperial Forces in the Middle East. Thus Turkey stood almost naked before the Nazi blast. The Government has made the best it could of the situation, but in face of all the developments of the past two months the Turkish Government had to come to terms with Hitler. The treaty does not represent a diplomatic reverse for Britain because the element of surprise was lacking. Turkey has not deserted friends who trusted her. She has been trapped by uncontrollable circumstance, but friendship which Germany wins in this wpy will be of little value to Hitler when the tide of war turns against him.