RUSSIA’S WAITING GAME.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 October 1940, Page 4

RUSSIA’S WAITING GAME.

a surface view, nothing is more surprising in the Balkan situation than the apparent unconcern with which Soviet Russia is allowing the Axis to extend its control through the Balkans and to threaten the Turkish Straits, and also, as reports stand, to develop naval bases on the Black Sea. The Germans are now so completely masters of Rumania that there is nothing to prevent'them transporting submarines overland in pieces, to be reassembled at Constantza and other Rumanian ports. Light torpedo boats could also be taken down the Danube and naval forces might thus be assembled which would seriously challenge Russia’s control of the Black Sea. That apart, Russia has always attached the utmost importance to the control of the Turkish Straits. Under the terms of the Straits Convention, the Dardanelles are closed to the warships of outside Bowers. On this ground and others, the interests of Russia appear to be identified closely with those of Turkey. Yet there has been no hint thus far that .the Soviet is prepared to assist in safeguarding Turkey against attack by the Axis. “Russia would not like to see the Germans holding the Straits— Russia’s gateway to the outside world —and strongly placed on her Caucasian border,” a London correspondent observed on this subject recently. “Yet it is believed that Russia would consider what. Germany might do if Britain and Turkey hold Germany in Europe, since if the way into Turkey seemed too hal’d, the way into the Ukraine, next door to invaded Rumania, might seem easier.” The same correspondent quoted another commentator as remarking:— 1 For all we know, Stalin might think it best to try to force Turkey to let the Germans into the Near East, and, in this way, 1 head them off his own borders. In the long run, of course, ap- 1 peasement will serve Russia no better than it did us. but the 1 temptation to put off till tomorrow has always been a strong one. 1 Whether there is any real likelihood of the Soviet attempting ; by these means to secure temporary immunity from attack 1 remains Io be seen. As matters stand the Russian attitude, not ’ least, as it bears upon the probable policy of Turkey, is at all/ t events a somewhat unpromising,' feature of the situation. ’ I