FRENCH MUNITIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1941, Page 5

FRENCH MUNITIONS

STILL REACHING IRAQ BY RAIL NAZI OFFICERS CONTROLLING TRAFFIC. TURKS EXPECTING BRITAIN TO ATTACK SYRIA. LONDON. May 22. The latest nev/s from Syria indicates that the position is substantially unchanged, says the correspondent of “The Times.” French military material and ammunition is still reaching Iraq by railway, and some German officers are reported to have arrived in Beirut to organise this traffic. German aircraft have been flown to Iraq across Syria, their passengers consisting of German officers and instructors. Shipping circles in Istanbul are talking of the Germans attempting to charter Russian steamers to convey German arms and ammunition to Turkish ports, from which it would be intended to send the cargoes to Iraq by rail. In view of the Turkish feelings about the situation in the Middle East, it is difficult to imagine Turkey giving the Germans any transport facilities which she is not bound to give under convention as in the,,case of the railway traffic between Syria and Iraq. Expectations that the Germans would not long be content with the transit facilities in Syria are speedily being realised. Already there are indications that the Germans are using the aerodromes at Damascus. Rayak. Palmyra and A.leppo as bases for operations against the British in Iraq. The Turks expect that this development will compel the British soon to send land forces against Syria.

PROBLEMS FOR TURKEY. Turkish security' is not regarded asbeing threatened while the Germans confine their activities to aerial hostilities with the British in Syria, but a section of opinion, that is represented by the eminent publicist M. Yaltchin, strongly holds the view that a fullscale German military occupation of Syria and Iraq would mean the death of Turkey by asphyxiation. It is understood that the German garrisons in the Greek islands of Mytilene and Chios, which are close to the Turkish coast, are now 6000 and 2000 men, respectively. It is officially announced in Sofia that Bulgarian troops have replaced the German garrisons in the Greek islands of Samothrace and Thasos. It is reported from Beirut that French troops in Syria are on the move and the French naval squadron which was trapped there when France collapsed has begun exercises. It is stated in Berlin that the Vichy Air Minister, M. Bergert, who recently arrived in Syria, has begun preparations to defend the French possessions in the Near East against air attack. The Ankara correspondent of the “Daily Express" says French arms and ammunition are still pouring from Syria into Iraq and trains are returning to Syria carrying oil and petrol for the German planes which are crossing Syria. It is officially denied in Beirut that Free French troops have entered Syria and have been joined by a French regiment, The Beirut correspondent of the British United Press reports that General Dentz, the French Governor of Syria, said at a Press conference: “France has no aggressive intentions against Britain, but she will be compelled to oppose force with force. Germany has a provisional right to use the Syrian aerodromes under article 12 of the Franco-German armistice. I assure the Syrian people that no German interference or occupation will take place in Syria.”