MENACE TO TURKEY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21409, 1 May 1941, Page 7

MENACE TO TURKEY

GERMANS’ ACTIVITIES IRAK OIL SUPPLY BRITISH WAR POLICY (United Press Assn. — Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, April 29 Herr von Papen, the German Ambassador to Turkey, is returning to Ankara this week after his conferences with Hitler. His return is expected to mark the second stage of Germany’s Mediterranean offensive. It is believed that Berlin’s more subdued tone with respect to Turkey is an indication that Hitler is seeking to by-pass Turkey and Syria to Palestine in an effort to cut off Irak oil, instead of making demands on Turkey and risking fighting. Germany’s route would be the islands of Samothrace, Lemnos, Mitylene and Chios, the Dodecanese, Cyprus and Haifa (Palestine). There are convenient airfields along the route for troop-carriers and for fighters defending convoys. Against the scheme, commentators in London point out that the Mediterranean Fleet is now freed from its Greek responsibilities, that Cyprus is strongly garrisoned, and that Palestine contains a powerful army. Pressure On France Developments in the Eastern Mediterranean may, on the other hand, depend on the outcome of the negotiations between France and Germany. It is believed that Germany | is attempting to procure Syria from j Vichy as a base for operations, . reckoning that Turkey would thus I be encircled and would permit the passage of troops. The Ankara correspondent of the Times says that there is no indication that Turkey is willing to act as Germany’s tool. “The Turks,” he states, “believe that Germany’s successes in the Balkans are not decisive, the Nazis having paid dearly lor something that could have cost them nothing. “The Turks do not criticise Britain lor helping Greece, although in this way she exposed herself to serious i dangers and risk of loss of military i prestige, but the tendency is to hint ; tnat Britain is keeping too many troops in England and too few in the Near East, considering the importance of the latter theatre of engagements to the Allies.” More Realistic Policy Urged Captain B. H. Liddell Hart, writing in the Daily Mail, pleads for a more realistic war policy and the abandonment of estimates of our strength in terms of men under arms, without regard to the kind of arms or those of the enemy. “Events in the Balkans had their compensation in inducing a sense of realities,” he says, “but it is doubtful whether this has gone far enough to produce a policy fitted to make the best use of the realites.” Britain’s capacity to support Turkey is dependent on the threat to Egypt, to meet which Captain Liddell Hart suggests the fullest concentration of aerial and tank strength. He says that two armoured divisions are better insurance than six infantry divisions.

SIXTY NEW SHIPS TO BE BUILT IN AUSTRALIA BOARD'S PLAN ANNOUNCED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlrbt) (Received May 1, 11.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 1 Recommendations for the immediate construction in Australia of three overseas merchant ships of 9000 tons each are contained in the first report of the Shipbuilding Board, Senator Mcßride, Supply Minister, said yesterday. Senator Mcßride has directed the building of at least 60 ships as the long-range objective. The first three will be built in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia respectively. The board foresees no insuperable obstacles to the construction of the ships in a reasonable period. BAN IN RUSSIA TRANSIT OF WAR MATERIALS (United Press Asm.—Eler. Tel. Copvrtrht) MOSCOW, April 29 A decree prohibits the transit through Russia of war materials, including munitions, aircraft parts and accessories, machine tools for making munitions, and also explosives and poisons. Concern is expressed in Germany over the Societ decree, which, it is stated, will make inoperative the new agreement between Germany and Japan. RUSSIAN BAN EFFECT ON CHINA -ratten Awn. t- i Copyrflfttt (Received May 1, 11 a.m.) CHUNGKING, April 30 Referring to Russia’s ban on the transhipment of war materials, Chinese officials pointed out that materials for China received from the Soviet originate in Russia. In view of this presumably China is not affected. If so, the officials added, the ban will be beneficial to China, in the sense that it will prevent German materials from reaching Japan, which is especially important in view of recent reports that Germany is considering sending aircraft to Japan. ARRESTED IN SPAIN 31 BRITISH RESIDENTS (United Press Assn. —Si“r ~. , .vtnrhti LONDON, April 29 The Berlin radio announced that | 31 British were arrested at Valencia for activities against the Spanish I State. i A number of other Britishers are preparing to leave the counujr.