Evening star., 1939-10-22
Lloyd George Thinks Aloofness
OF America May Prolong War
Failure of Major Neutrals to Propose Conference
Helped Hitler Slam Door on Peace,
Observer Holds
By David Lloyd George.

nation of the country to go through the
war at all costs. All doubts were allayed
and all divisions were healed. If Hitler
has any notion that setbacks or disasters
like the sinking Of the Royal Oak are
likely to spread any dismay in this coun-
try and force it into defeatist peace, he
is completely Understanding the char
acter and spirit of Britain.
No one from the beginning Of the war
has even limited at surrender. But If the
war goes on 1t will be difficult to have
any national discussion Of projects for
securing an honorable peace without q
protracted war. Peace talk in the middle
of stern conflict is apt to be regarded
as sedition.
Russia, Italy Hold Neutrality.
There are two other aspects Of the
general situation which may have con-
siderable effect upon the issue of the
conflict. The first is that there are no
indications that either Russia or Italy
nave any intention or desire to depart
from an attitude of strict neutrality be-
tween the warning nations.
The difference between the attitude
Of the British government and press
toward the Russian conquest in Poland
and toward the German annexations
have contributed very largely to the
willingness shown by Russia to remain
on friendly terms with this country.
1t will depend very largely on the power
OF British diplomacy to adapt isef to
new conditions whether real amity is
developed out of the rigid and frigid
Italian neutrality of today
If that can be achieved it will make
a tremendous difference to the outcome
OF the struggle. The British govern
ment is showing some signs of a desire
to foster the germs of good will which
Italy has recently shown toward us.
The courtesies shown to the new Italian
Ambassador were wise, and may be very
helpful IN the promotion of a better
understanding between the two countries.
The other fact which may turn out to
be of great importance in the struggle
is the breakdown of the negotiations be-
tween Russia and Turkey. Russia and
kemal's regenerated and modernized
Turkey have been on excellent, if not
cordial, terms ever since the conclusion
OF the great war. I rather think Turkey
was the first country to grip Soviet
Russia by the hand. Failure to con-
clude pact now does not mean that
there is any real break in their friend
ship. but the refusal of Turkey to sign
contract which contained conditions
lnimlcal to the cause of Britain and
France is all the more significant be-
cause she resisted pressure from an old
and well-established friendship.
Turkey Decisive Factor.
The reason for the failure of negotia-
tions has not been published, but it is
surmised that the new demand made by
Russia for the closing of the Dardanelles
against the ships of the western allies
has been one of the main reasons for the
Turkish attitude. Turkey is staying
faithful to the obligations into which
she entered in her recent understanding
with Britain and France.
Militarily She is by no means in the
same desperate position as Poland was
placed in by the signing of the Russo
German pact. Turkey has consider
able army, which, with its possible re-
serves, would probably reach not far of
a million men if they were fully equipped.
The western allies are in a position to
supply all their needs, in the matter of
equipment and of finance, to conduct a
war on great scale if Turkey were un-
happily attacked from any quarter.
In Asia Minor the Turks occupy q
highly defensive territory, with Maginot
and Siegfried Lines thrown up by nature
in their inaccessible mountain ranges
and defiles. The Dardanelles and the
Bosphorus would be protected by the
greatest combination of naval powers in
the world. Apart from these considera-
tions, both Britain and France could
render her prompt and effective military
aid.
If Italy remains neutral, the question
OF sea communications through the
Mediterranean to the Turkish front
would not present any insuperable diff
culties. The loyalty of Turkey may come
to be an important if not decisive fac
tor in the development of this unpre-
dictable war
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