TURKEY’S ROLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1943, Page 3

TURKEY’S ROLE

MAY TAKE MORE ACTIVE PART.

IN WAR.

BUT GOVERNMENT PROUD OF PEACE RECORD. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, August 16. “It is becoming clearer that Turkey is preparing for more active operations in the war,” says the Istanbul, correspondent of the “New York Times,” Carl Sulzberger. “The Turks believe that the Allies will shortly occupy Italy, after which the Germans will not hold the Balkans. "The Gormans in the war of 1914-18 for a long time maintained the Balkans because the Ottoman Empire protected their eastern flank. The position in 1943 is vastly different. Turkey, though non-belligerent, clearly sympathises with the Allies, and therefore the Balkans can become exposed to the Allies’ sea and air powei' based in Italy, and also to possible Turkish land power. A German withdrawal would bring chaos in Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, whereupop Turkey would offer to co-operate with the Allies by occupying the Balkans, which would obviously draw Turkey into hostilities. The leaders of the Turkish Army definitely desire action, but the Government is proud of its peace record and is still anxious to avoid war.”