Evening star., 1940-10-13
Britain Urges U. 5.
To Press Bid for
Soviet Friendship
Russiu's Influence on
Turkey Prompts Move
As Balkan War Impends
By BLAIR BOLLES.

BY BLAlR bOLLES.
Dsquieted by the implications of
an impending Balkan-Near East
war in the German military pene-
tration of Rumaria, the British gov
ernment has proposed to Washing
ton intensification of the American
effort to discover a formula that
will insure at least the Supine friend
ship of Russia for the British cause,
especially in the Balkans. Develop
ments in policy here make the
English cause daily more completely
the American cause.
The British anxiety about the
Soviet is prompted by the COM
manding influence which Russia
exerts on Turkey. joined to England
last October 10 by treaty of mutua!
assistance whose protocol No. 2
makes Russia the final judge
whether or not Turkey shall carry
out her agreement.
AS the Rumanian crisis developed
with its import of a military sltua-
ton which would obligate Turkey
to act unless Russia forbade
England received with especial in
terest the news that the State De-
partment here last week reopened
conversations with the Russian
Ambassador. Constantine Ouman-
sky, with a view to improving the
American position in the explosive
Far East. There England recently
has shown a firm policy as result
of American insistence.
Now England. after failing in her
summer efforts TO WOO MOSCOW,
would like a favor from us in
quarter where our interest is not
30 obvious even as Englands in the
Far East-further talks with Rus
sia. attracting Moscow to at least
tacit support of England and Amer
lea. with immediate emphasis on
making the German road harder In
the Near East
Oil Fields Chief Goal.
Experience already has shown
England that a Russia responsive to
German pressure could render Tur-
KEY valueless as an ally of England
through a word to Ankara. But
England is confident that Russia
that would hold herself aloof from
all Balkan and Eastern Medlter-
ranean developments would be no
bar to Turkish fulfillment Of her
treaty obligations to the United
Kingdom.
The delicate sensitiveness of Tur-
kew to Russia agitates England the
more because the Balkan-Near East
war in prospect would be in large
part a war for gasoline. with the
oil fields of Iraq the chief goal OF
the Germans. The way to Iraq from
the Balkans lies through Turkey.
Reports reaching diplomats here
Yesterday reflect a general English
expectation that the penetration of
Rumania is also the preliminary to
an axis troop conveyance on the
Mediterranean. where England is
dominant because of her naval
strength.
In broad outline. the roads to the
Mediterranean are said to travel,
for the Germans. from Rumania
friendly to the axis, and Greclan
Thrace and Macedonia. and for the
italians southwark from Albania
into the Grecian peninsula. A con-
quest of mountainous Greece is not
considered a military problem of
imposing magnitude for the axis.
unless Turkey acts on her pledges
corps into the fray.
Axis occupation of Greece would
facilitate the German-1talian aims
for Near Eastern campaign de-
signed to cut off British control of
the Suez Canal and British access
to the Iraq oil fields.
Invasion of Egypt Launched.
The campaign already has been
started along the southern shore OF
the Mediterranean, where the ltal-
ians have begun an invasion OF
Egypt The weather will put an end
about November l to German hopes
of invading England this year At
that same time the weather in the
Near East. growing mllder after the
fiery heat of summer. becomes suit
able for war fought by Europeans.
Although Turkey has repeatedly
indicated ill-will toward both Ger
many and Italy, the British have
learned they have ground for con-
Germ over the meaning to them Of
Turkey. The problems of Turkey
arises for London almost a year to
the day after the British and French.
then in alliance. signed a l5-year
treaty of mutual assistance with the
Turks and hailed the move as
great diplomatic victory.
That treaty of October 10. 1899,
commits England and France-of
course. France cannot now fulfill any
commitments of this sort-to protec-
ton of Turkey from aggression. Ar
ticle states in paragraph one:
I'm the event of an act of aggres-
sion by European power leading to
war in the Mediterranean area in
which France and the United Kind
dom are involved. Turkey will COLA
borate effectively with France and
the United Kingdom and will lend
them all aid and assistance in its
power
But protocol number 2 to this
treaty states:
The obligations undertaken by
Turkey in virtue of the above-men-
toned treaty cannot compel that
country to take action having as its
effect, or involving as its conse-
quences, entry into armed conflict
with the u. s. S. r.
Turkey Still Nom Belligerent.
The Importance of protocol num-
Der was made apparent to the
British last June. Italy entered the
conflict. which plainly was a step
'Ieading to war in the Mediterranean