FREE DECISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1943, Page 4

FREE DECISION

ON' question of fighting OR NOT REMAINS WITH THE TURKS. SOME SIGNIFICANT REMINDERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, December 8. The major belligerent Allies, who have concerted measures for reaching a decision in Europe, have, as “The Times” expresses it, entered into council with the rulers of the one nonbelligerent power remaining in the region lying between them. It is recalled that since Mr Churchill met President Inonu at Adana last year, Britain and the United States have sent Turkey quantities of modern war equipment. Air strategy probably dominates the situation.

“From Turkey,” says the “Dally Mail,” “aircraft could neutralise the islands of the Aegean Sea as a necessary preliminary to an assault on the Balkans from this direction, or could range far over South-East Europe, smashing German -bases and communications. A belligerent Turkey, with an army of a million men and reserves of two million, could divert German trc<ops from other fronts or could strike in conjunction with Russia, or allow Russian troops through her territory. But whether Turkey fights or not is for the Turks to say. Throughout the war their actions have been correct in the extreme and they have maintained an unwavering faith in Britain, their only ally.” The Turkish President and members of the delegation to the Cairo conference arrived at Adana last night and are expected at Ankara today, according to a message from the Turkish capital.

GUARD ON DARDANELLES

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS, ' NEW DECLARATION EXPECTED. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.in.) LONDON, December 8. Turkish officers are reported to have received sealed orders to be opened “only in certain circumstances/’ says the British United Press Stockholm correspondent. Other Swedish reports say Turkish officials have admitted that air and artillery reinforcements have been sent to the Dardanelles. Turkey is also reported to be planning an early call-up of Army reserves. These reports have not been confirmed. The “Daily Express’’ political correspondent says it is likely that the Allies, before the conference, were pressing Turkey for the use of air and naval bases. The Turks may have taken the view that if these concessions were made, the country might as well enter’ the war completely. The decisions made at the conference are known to be of the highest importance and will make possible sweeping new moves against German Europe. The “Daily. Mail’s” diplomatic correspondent says the position can only be clarified by a new declaration by the Turkish Government. Such a declaration is expected in the next few days.

BREAK FROM AXIS

BULGARIA’S SUPPOSED DESIRE. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 8. Bulgaria is expected to break from the Axis soon as a direct result of the Cairo Conference, says the Istanbul correspondent of the Stockholm “Allehanda.” The Bulgarian Ministers to Moscow, Berlin and Ankara have been recalled to Sofia. Herr Stol, the German Minister in Sofia, conferred with the Bulgarian Premier (Professor Filov) last night, when they are reported to have discussed Bulgarian attempts to get out of the war. A Russian military delegation is reported to have arrived in Sofia with the new military attache.