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THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 25, 1940
MIRROR OF WORLD
OPINION
TURKEY REMOVES
THE"?"?
last few months have shown that these leopards have not changed their spots. We do not know what Balkan "spheres" were marked out by the Turkish seizure of German-owned Russo-German Pact when Poland was Krupp shipyards was a straw in a vivisected, but there is every reason such arrange- wind fast rising to gale velocity, to believe that some Clouds are gathering over German ment was made. Meanwhile, the loss of Russian prestige in Finland and hopes of diplomatic victory' east hopes which have been bolstered not Germany's preoccupation elsewhere the growth of Italian only by some success in Rumania but have allowed by willingness of Turkey to enter into influence in the Balkans, and if the trade accords which have seemed in- ground is to be recovered the effort consistent with its position in the must be made soon. Allied front.
*
THE AIR DEBATE
then,
One other factor in the situation The seizure emphasises, as no fur- may, however, outweigh all the rest. The Nazi regime has been aptly ther words could, the Turkish For likened to a bicycle; it must keep eign Minister's statement that "Turkey moving or it falls down; it must pro- is not neutral but only non-belliger duce new victories or lose the Ger- ent for the moment." It followed
people's confidence. If, man closely on a meeting of the Balkan Entente's leaders in which the influ- Germany must move in the spring, It is not unreasonable for Turkey to ence of Turkey was marked. It takes believe that the move will be in the place against a background that stret- Balkans, if only because the returns ches from Afghanistan westward to from this new foray would be likely Egypt and northward to envelop to be greater than from other des- Greece and the 'Dardanelles...
perate breaches of neutral rights. And right at that point. Bulgaria's "Sydney Morning Herald." borders touch this area of Allied con- trol, making the Turkish Foreign. Minister's evidently cordial meeting with Bulgaria's King Boris and his statesmen a matter of wider interest than it may at first have seemed. For Turkey is the Allies' bridge, to the Balkans. And at one end of that
Debates on the Service Estimates in bridge to-day are gathering Allied time of war necessarily differ greatly military forces estimated in hundreds from similar discussions in peace. of thousands. Informed quarters in- The Estimates are very properly pre- dicate equipment for three-quarters sented only as token votes, and mem- of a million men is being sent to the bers have neither the material nor Near East,
the inclination to criticise in the usual Berlin dispatches explain the seizure
manner. In the case of the R.A.F., of the Krupp plant in Turkey as due though it has more than fulfilled every to differences between German tech- call upon it, and has to its credit many nicians employed there and the Turk- remarkable feats of courage and of ish authorities, but as not indicating endurance, it has, in Sir Kingsley difficultles between the two Govern- Wood's own words, "not been operat- ments. "Things like that happen in ing at full intensity," and therefore Turkey." But when they happen the plans and the achievements of the while Allied military leaders are fly- Air Ministry have been tested by ing to Egypt to inspect troops, while
sample only. Service Ministers, in Greek emissaries are on their way to
these circumstances, must naturally join them and the Greeks are being observe the utmost caution and reveal warned by their own leaders of pos- their successes rather than their diff- sibility of war, and while the Turkish culties. Nevertheless Sir Kingsley Government exhibits a willingness to was able to utter some rather strik- have its position in the Allied front
ing generalities, the most outstanding. very clearly understood it is not of which was the statement that the easy to dismiss these things with an Allies to-day were producing more. assumption that they arise merely and better aeroplanes than Germany. from differences as to
factory pro- Though at the outbreak of war there cedures. "Christian Science Moni- was much leeway in point of numbers tor."
FACTORS IN NEAR EAST
*
to make up, this statement is a highly important practical reinforcement of the theory that time is on our side if time is properly used.
.The exact British share in this achievement was not revealed; but some indication that it is substantial was given in the statements that the output of Spitfires and Hurricane If the chain of Turkish prepara- fighters has doubled, and the output tions be considered in the light of the of the larger types of bomber increas- known factors in Eastern Europe, ed by 50 per cent., since the war be- certain important, if tentative, con- gan. Still, it must not be thought that clusions can be safely drawn. It expansion in production is easy, and seems clear that Turkey expects to the figures given in these statements find herself fighting in the fairly near do not necessarily mean that the total future as the ally of Britain and production (which had reached a high France. That she has knowledge of level last September) has yet in- factors in the present situation which creased at all. Operations and train- are not apparent to the ordinary ob-ing on the scale now prevalent mean server, and which dictate her haste as a much heavier demand for spares. -some- well as the small pains she has taken. There is always some part to conceal either her preparations or times a large part of the aircraft the side towards which she inclines, industry turning over to the produc- can be taken for granted. It is not tion of new types of aircraft; and, in in the least likely that Turkey would spite of what Sir Kingsley said about depart so openly from the line of the foresight shown in arranging for strict neutrality did she not possess supplies of raw materials and of la- knowledge which makes such action bour, modern aircraft construction re- urgently necessary. She has as much quires so much of both that the fore- to gain from neutrality as any nation sight shown in accumulating supplies and less to lose than most, for she is may not have been exhaustive. As in not a great maritime State and does the case of all complicated engines of not suffer from the German sub- war, the interval between preparation marine campaign. Even without the and production must be long, and we information clearly held by Turkey, are probably not yet enjoying the full e immense effort set on it is possible to let out some of the fruits, of bases for her bellet. Both Germany, foot, at the outbreak of war. There. the enemy and Russla inherit Balkan -ambitions – is no doubt, whatever from earlier regimes. The German, would have a very unpleasant ex- no matter with what force "Berlin to Bagdad" drive was well pertenc known; Russian designs on Constan- or how long he attacked.. But there tinople and the outlet to the Mediter are Ukely to be many, more than de.. ranean were accepted diplomatio fac- fensive calls upon the Air, Force be- "The Times.”· tors for many years." Events of the fore the war is over.
Pa
Pa
a
THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 25, 1940