The movement of Axis troops towards the Turkish frontier is causing world-wide speculation as to whether Hitler is contemplating some move against that country which would further extend the war. The shuttle-like journeys of the German Ambassador, Herr von Papen, between Ankara and Berlin leave no doubt that important conversations are going on—conversations which must be reported to the Führer or Ribbentrop by word of mouth and which are too secret or vital to be entrusted to the usual channels. It has been the Führer's custom when conversations like these develop to reinforce his arguments by concentrating a few divisions on the frontiers of the nation with which he is conversing. in the belief that there is nothing like a show of force to convince his hearers, In the past these have proved successful tactics. but it is to be doubted whether they ' will bluff the Turks. The successful Allied operations in Iraq. Syria. and Iran have considerably strengthened the Turkish position. The country is no longer isolated. If necessary. help can be sent from three sides. and there is only the fourth, that facing Bulgaria and Greece. to defend. The form which Nazi pres. sure against Ankara has taken is at present unknown, It may be purely economic, to bring Turkey within the Axis economic bloc. but there have been reports of demands for permission to use Turkish territorial waters or Black Sea ports, and even tales that the Nazis have demanded the right to send troops through Turkish territory so as to outflank the Russian resistance and reach the Caucasian oil Wells by the back door. There is perfect confidence in the Allied camp that Turkey will remain neutral and even fight if any attempt is made to violate her neutrality. Turkey has treaty commitments with Soviet Russia and Britain which she has scrupulously observed so far, and there is no reason to fear that. even if Hitler is saying it with soldiers. she will be persuaded to depart from that attitude. What has happened to nations which have "coopir with the Nazis in Europe is an object lesson which the statesmen in Ankara have not allowed to pass by unlearnt. They have seen how economic collaboration has kd from one thing to another. until the nations which have consented to it are free only in name. In fact ey are just as much slaves as the nations which have been overrun. and in addition, they have been called upon to send troops io fight the battles of the Nazis for them—battles from which they stand to gain no advantage and which have already cost them dearly in human life and war materials. They have been systematically looted of foodstuffs that the German herrenvolk may be fed. Their finances have been ruined by manipulation of their currencies and. the establishment of false exchange rates. They have nothing left. It would be strange indeed if Turkey were to display any enthusiasm over Nazi overtures, when this example is there for everyone to see. On the other hand. Turkey has everything to' gain by keeping friendly with the Allies But there is still more than a suspicion that the British are displaying too much complacency. That is regrettable. True, there is much to be thankful for that Britain escaped the disaster of 1940 and*has been able to build up her strength. There are, however. still stern days ahead when more blood, more sweat and more tears will have to be shed before final victory is in sight. The enemy is still very strong even though his losses against Russia are so enormous, and the time has to come when the full British might will have to be brought into play against him. Against that day every effort must be made to see that the armies and navies of democracy are so equipped and maintained that the issue shall never be in doubt. It is well to look back on past achievements. It is bad if that retrospect induces nothing but a complacent satisfaction. It will be good if it inspires everyone in Britain and out of it to redoubled efforts. Faith in victory is justifiable but over-confidence may prove to be a dangerous enemy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.