Considerable curiosity exists as why Germany was so anxious to sign the Pact under any conditions, and some observers suggest that' she wants to assure herself that Turkey remains neutral in the event of a German attack on Russia.
The fact that the latest statement by the official Soviet Tass agency on Soviet-German relations has been virtually ignored by the German press, and persistent rumours that Hitler will shortly demand the return of Bessarabia to Rumania and large economic concessions, lend weight to this suggestion, while the Pact adds yet another explanation for the presence of large German troops concentrations on the Russian frontiers.
It is, however, unlikely that the Pact will remove the suspicion with which Germany tas been viewed here, and s all know exactly what German promises and assurances can, The agreement will be by the German Fropaganda Minister, Dr. Goebbels, zs a diplomatic triumph to offset Axis reverses n the United States, but that Turkey remains faithful to her alliance with Britain is seen in a clear statement in the preamble to the Pact on which the Turks insisted, They refused to sign unless. the clause was included.
Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.