ALLIES & TURKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1940, Page 5

ALLIES & TURKEY

A VALUED PARTNERSHIP

LIMIT OF GERMANY'S POWER

OF ATTACK.

INFLUENCE IN BALKANS AND MIDDLE EAST.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY. March 21

The British alliance with Turkey, says the Manchester Guardian” in a leading article, represents one dillerenee between Hie first six months of this war and 191-1 which can give us most comfort.

"Turkey's enmity added greatly to our difficulties and to the length of the last war,” the paper says, “but the struggle ended with mutual respect. Now. in place of a redoubtable opponent, we have Turkey as an ally, and not the Turkey of the Sultans, but the efficient, renascent State founded by Muslapha Kemal.” After describing the German-Soviet overtures to Turkey which failed to prevent a formal alliance with the Western Powers, the leader continues: “Turkey has been taking her engagements to us extremely seriously. Of the credits we have given her,. £25,000,000 is being spent on armaments. The massive edifice the Allies have built, up in the, Near East has Turkey for its cornerstone.

“No wonder Turkey’s alliance with us has impressed the Arabs. It was bound to have a strong influence on Iraq. Iran, and Afghanistan. The importance of Turkey is far greater than her size. The back door of Europe, the newly-fortified Dardanelles, is in Turkey's power to open or close. In our struggle with Germany this is a great gain. As this war goes on Balkan supplies will become increasingly necessary to Germany, but her power to have her own way in this vital area will be strictly limited while Turkey stands staunchly by the Allies.” MILITARY TALKS CONTINUE ANKARA, March 22. Further talks have begun between the Vice Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Assimgunduz, and the Allied miltiary chiefs.