'The signature of a friendship pact between' Germany and Turkey was not unexpected. For weeks past it was clear that some change in the relations between the two countries would come about, and, now it has come, It is not so important, or so far-reaching as was originally feared. Added to the pact fare declarations vhich may prove more in= teresting than the main document itself, for in them the two nations: declare they' will cease hostile press, radio and propaganda activities, which will probably mean that while the Turkish press and radio will not abandon their liking for Great Britain, they will re~ train from criticising the Germans. Herr yon. Papen has not succeeded in all that he set out to secure. Political penetration in Tux= key has not proved effective mainly because of the vigilance of the Turkish Government, The pact providing for mutual respect of territorial integrity will probably be inter~ preted as accepting the possibility of Turkey refusing the passage of men or material through her lands for the purpose of attack~ ing Great Britain, and the general interpreta tion of this latest development is that Turkey desires 10 remain on the best possible terms with everyone engaged in this conflict.
That is to be understood. After the fall of France the Turkish position was weakened, for it was from that country that Turkey obtained her war material, Then with the overwhelming of Yugoslavia and Greece it became possible to apply increased pressure upon Turkey to bring her" into line with the Axis. She was not able to obtain support from Russia, or even encouragement, and the fact that the Turkish statesmen' have managed to limit the terms of the pact in the manner they have is clear evidence of their adroitness and refusal to go all the way with the Germans. There is nothing
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.