The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-04-29
Mason Says:
Turkey in Difficult
Strategic Position
With Greece Defeat
Russia Is Watched
By J. ". 7. MASON
United Pres. War Eap<rf

/ United Pres. War Expert
With the battle Of Greece fin
ished. Great Britain and Germany
now can count their gains and
losses without emotional .xagger-
atoms. Each has a credit and a
debit side.
Germany has gained primar-
lily . strong military position
against Turkey. Naz forces
nj the beginning Of the inva-
sion of Greece entered Greek
territory close 90 the Turkish
border and undoubtedly will
remain there.
The swastika troops are IN q
position To begin n thanking move
ment against the western Turkish
army while the main attack IL
being delivered from the north
west. based on Bulgaria. oceupa-
ton Of Greek islands la the north
western Aegean sea gives the
Germans air control over the exit
from the Dardanelles into the
Aegean.
Turkey thus finds herself In
n difficult strategic position.
Both her armies n European
Turkey and the Dardsnelles
are more exposed than before.
II Ia possible the Turks may
become more amenable 20 Ger
many, though the future Of
Turko German relations 10
likely 10 depend upon Russia
Germany's second gain is the
relief given to Italy. A break in
Italian morale Is less likely now.
Mussolini Is bound closer to Ger
many and the fuehrers control
over Italy has been increased.
Germany's other gains are prob
lematiesl. The Germans might be
able TO fly two divisions 10 Syria
from southern Greek bases II oper-
atoms there become essential But
the distance 10 more than 500 /
miles and All air supply line would
be difficult.
From southern Greece Ger
man bombers might conduct
raids en the British fleet Mt
Alexandria. That distance,
however. IL 800 miles and Mt
any previous time In the war
Germany could have bombed
Alexandria from the less-dis-
tant Dodecanese islands.
The first debit In the German
war ledger because OF the Balkan
war is the unessiness caused in
However silent Stain may
remain, the new armed might of
Germany which has brushed aside
Slav influences in southeastern Eu-
rope must increase Russia's in
tense desire for an opportunity TO
even the score.
The second debit Ia that Ger
many had to wage war at all
In the Balkans. Instead of n
welcome 10 the Mani way Of
life, half the Balkans now bear
bitter resentment against Hit
her which In time will become
disturbing.
The third debit is the Interrupt
ton OF German supplies from
Europe. The ravages
" war. In themselves. will inter
fere with productivity and for u
considerable time, transportation
must be lessened.
On the British credit side comes
first the previous gains resulting
from the Greek entry into the
war. The necessity for sending
large numbers of troops to Albania
Premier Mussolini to
maintain weaker mechanical
force in North Africa. That. In
turn, contributed much. and per-
hsps decisively. to the breakdown |
Of Italian resistance In Libya and |
the capture of nearly 200, 900 Fas-
cist troops.
Secondly. the British now
seem safely established on the
Island OF Crete, giving them
strong additional naval and
air power In the eastern Medi-
terranean. Thirdly. the Greek
war almost broke Italian mo
rale, coupled with operations
ln Africa, aud while that has
been overcome for the moment.
. crack remains which may be
~idened later. Fourthl,. II 10
possible that some Greek sal
oilers may be used To reinforce
the British army of the Nile.
The British debit account shows
the loss Of its military position on
the European continent, uncertain
~ regarding Turkeys future pol