The neutralization of Turkey had to come first. Von Papen had been working for that for years without success. Doubtless we shall know one day more of the Nazi threats and pressure applied in Ankara before Turkey, anxious to preserve her neutrality, signed a pact of friendship in which there is a guarantee that Turkey's integrity and inviolability will be respected. Although Nazi guarantees don't mean a thing. it is a fairly safe bet that if, in breach of that guarantee, Turkish territory were used by the Nazis for military purposes then Turkey would fight.
By the land route, the Nazis remain cut off from Syria. That's an important point in Britain's favour. The newly-signed pact also neutralizes Turkey in the event of a Russo-German clash. and this may be the Nazis aim now that they have been driven by desperation to present Moscow with an emphatic "either—or" Moscow's answer still remains a matter for guesswork.
But. whatever might be that answer—and tremendous events hang upon it—the development of the general war situation during the past week has continued in favour of Britain. That statement is not mere wishful thinking; it is backed up by all the facts. Let's take a look at them Firstly. we' have continued a slow but very steady advance into Syria. and Damasdus has been taken by Free French forces. When Vichy and the Nazis allege that the British and Free French forces intended to stage a blitz and have been thwarted in that intention they deliberately falsify the plainest of plain facts. less. Britain must always keep large numbers of planes in reserve in case an invasion attempt is made, but despite this she is hitting over an extremely wide range with a force which tells its own encouraging story of growing aerial power.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.