TURKEY TODAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1941, Page 7

TURKEY TODAY

POSITION IN THE BALKANS RELATION TO WAR OUTLOOK. ADDRESS AT ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON. An informative address on Turkey was given at today’s luncheon of the Masterton Rotary Club by -Mr J. H, Cunningham, who briefly traced the history of the country, spoke of its topography and touched on its position which was one of great importance in the present conflict. Referring to Turkey's foreign policy, Mr Cunningham said it had been based on friendship with the Soviet sines 1920 and her position as guardian of the Dardanelles was of vital importance in the Balkan; She was opposed to German expansion in the Balkans which she regarded as a preliminary stage to further expansion across Turkey to the Mosul oilfields. The pact of Saadabad in 1934 provided for political co-operation with Irak Iran and Afghanistan. “Since the restoration of full Turkish sovereignty over the Straits in 1936. and the return of Alexandretta in 1933 her relations with the Western Powers have become closer, until in 1939 an .Anglo-French Guarantee against aggression was given,” said Mr Cunningham "It provides fur AngloFrench aid for Turkey in the event of aggression by a European Power, leading to war in the Mediterranean area in which Turkey is involved. Turkey promised to aid Britain and France under certain . . The pledge of Turkish aid is not to apply against Russia ... ' Service in the army is compulsory between the ages of 20 and 26 years.'* said Mr Cunningham. "Turkey probably has about 400 planes and lO.liOb air personnel. The navy is not particularly strong but is manned by about 10,000 men. and the fleet consists of the battle cruiser Yavuz, formerly the German ship Goeben which escaped tc Turkish, waters in the Great War This cruiser is of 23.000 tons and mounts ten 11-inch guns. There are also two cruisers of 2UOQ and 3300 tons respectively, but which are about 33 years old. alsc tw<> gun-boats three mine-sweepers four destroyers, six submarines and auxiliary craft The destroyers and, submarines arc modern ships "Turkey is of cmirsr. very much in; the limelight just now because »t they extension of the war int<> the Balkang area, and tile uncert.ibity a.s t<> v. ii..t she will do if tite Germans invade Bul-i Curia and Greece. .Mr CmminghamJ continued. "The extreme pressure\ which. Germany is at present exertin': i :n the Balkans is. to my mind, a sign i that Hitler is very uneasy brought about by the failure of Italy in her campaign against Greece, rind against ■ the British in Africa. I consider thru ,i Mussolini’s' actio!; against Albitnin and J Greece was with the full kiwuledgd of Hiller, and was part . f a d. . > laid sc 11eme ta o >ilb;> r rlt.ss Bn tmn tn the • Mediterranc:m—seiz<• the Suez Crmtil! and buttle up Turkey it n. brc.msr <■'.; Italy's reverses in Africa and Albui la that Hitler fear* th.i, M i’--. !:n. w.U !->< , thrown i»ii the ser.'ip-heap and KingVictor will make tivorurrcs to Britain I ■.hat extreme pressure is now being < xercised in the Balkan urea Turkey if ; apparently doing her utmost to form » ; Balkan Blocbut to me it seernS cer-l lam that Germany Will . r. i. :n-ur U oamre contra! m Bulgaria and Yugm | ’.iv.a and ■-retire bases on the Adria- 1 ;.ic and help to bolster up crumbling| halv. Gcrmtmv will then probably m-| miM.de Greece vitn v. In m h.- n'. j t pre ent :H war | "During the lust tew nays :i n«.m»j iggression .iKrt'cmcni has been con-] ■hided I■'■ io.-o i m kev ;md Bolgaroi i . ,-dih .;.-n G.o m;my - lat«e m•’ this < ■ diplomatic victor*. !■•< he: .t .■| i !>■<! from ! , 1 . th. ’.... - I .i. were •.■ .th the I ■ d? v h due j m<: goodwill .All that .1 en:iv j la-,.:- ;• •cat r.ei'hc! T:;:l.'y • : Bii-l '.-. io will attack ■ : If --■ Tm ■.., If i'll . ■ - ' .< tl'.C Adrwto- Till r t-evp oil’ the rrnllwi; but >t Gn ■■■<'■' ... . -. i ■J and .h: a**. ruith* !*' vruh i Tjika I j-.hT.:; • v -i Gr/.-’j