ATTACK ON TURKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1941, Page 5

ATTACK ON TURKEY

MAY BE IN PROSPECT FOLLOWING ON DEPARTURE OF VON PAPEN. SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTS RECALLED. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, September 2. The Istanbul correspondent of “The Times” says that the visits to Germany by the Ambassador to Turkey, Herr von Papen, after every meeting between Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini have become traditional, but this time there is a general feeling that his advertised complaint of a stone in the kidney may be more diplomatic than real, and it could be used eventually as a convenient excuse for his not returning to Turkey if circumstances compel him to relinquish his post. During his stay in Turkey Herr von Papen has never ceased to repeat that there would be no German-Turkish clash while he was Ambassador, for which reason it is generally assumed that his departure from Turkey will definitely mean a change in German tactics toward Turkey, if not a complete change in policy. Diplomatic circles state that Italy last year favoured action against Turkey, but Herr von Papen averted the danger. It is also said that Italy is very displeased at the Turco-Ger-man pact of friendship. Her relations with Turkey, in spite of the TurcoGerman rapprochement, remain very lukewarm. If Germany demanded a passage for German and Italian armies across Turkish territory toward the Caucasus or Syria there is no doubt, and Herr von Papen knows it, that Turkey's reply would be an emphatic “No.” Consequently, adds the correspondent, it may be considered practically certain that Herr von Papen will not return to Ankara if harsh demands are made on Turkey. It was reported that Herr von Papen would leave Turkey by plane probably on September 2, ostensibly for medical treatment at Vienna.