BALKAN BLOC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1939, Page 8

BALKAN BLOC

CONSOLIDATION PLANS. TURKEY SUPPORTS BRITAIN. There is complete confidence in influential circles at Angora in the military strength of Turkey, says the correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” in that city. I am assured that a fullyequipped front-line fprce of 1,000,000 men could be put into the field at a moment’s notice. Further preparations are in hand to ensure that 2,500,000 men shall be ready for any emergency. General Ismet Inonu, the President, has avoided all publicity during the recent developments, but he is determined that Turkey shall not show the slightest hesitation should the peace and security of this part of the world be menaced.

The inspired German press attacks on the Anglo-Turkish agreement, which still continue, are strongly resented here. While it was realised that there would be some reaction from Berlin, due to intense disappointment at such a great success for the peace front, official circles are surprised that such insolent abuse and utterly distorted interpretations should be permitted. German threats of future retaliation have not produced any apprehension in Angora, but they have caused considerable irritation.

Opinion is unanimous here that the agreement is a necessity and it is emphasised that it has been concluded by the spontaneous desire of the two contracting parties. Germany’s assertion that Britain has used pressure and that further pressure is being applied in the Balkans with a view to bringing about the disintegration of the Balkan Entente — Turkey, Greece, Yugoslavia and Rumania —is ridiculed.

The Turkish leaders, faithfully pursuing Kamal Ataturk’s unswerving policy, have vowed to give every assistance to Britain’s efforts to reinforce and consolidate the Balkan bloc, and no time has been lost in initiating these efforts.

The outcome may be mutual undertakings, which in fact will comprise a virtual military alliance, but its nature will be exclusively anti-aggressive. The Turkish press treats the German press attacks with calm dignity, but replies with facts. One Turkish newspaper, the Yeni Sabah, describes the German outbursts as nervous convulsions. The Yeni Sabah adds: “Had the result of the war been by chance in fav-i our of Germany, would not the Ottoman Empire, then Germany’s ally, today have become a German colony? We have no doubt about that; we should now be the slaves of Germany.”