Evening star., 1941-09-29
u. ). Interest Vital
In Economic Fight
For Turkish Chrome
Britain, Reich's Rival,
Passes Defense Ore
Along to America
BY RICHARD MOWRER,
ForeiFn Correspondent of The Star and
Chicago Daily News.

VI SAhh wi lNopOhuOHt Va Inc SLdI AHC
Chicago Daily News
CAIRO, Sept. 29.-The Anglo
German battle for economic ad-
vantages in Turkey is due to reach
decision soon with chrome as the
main prize, according to information
available here. The United States
is a most interested spectator in
this battle, for good reason; Turk
ish chrome so far acquired by Great
Britain by agreement with the
Turks has been passed on to the
United States for purposes of ma
tional defense.
Turkey produces nearly a quarter
of the worlds chrome output. Next
January the agreement whereby
Britain gets all Turkish surplus
chrome is due to come up for re-
newal. This agreement was orig
inally an Anglo-French- Turkish
arrangement, but now that the
French are out of the picture the
Germans are trying to wedge in
TO Frances place.
Germany has no pressing need for
chrome. At the moment she has
stocks enough for another year of
war it is estimated. But Germany
is interested in the lohg-term view
in its chrome supplies. Further
more, if the Reich succeeded in per-
suading the Turks to sell some
chrome heretofore earmarked for
Britain. the Germans could boast
economic victory at the expense of
Britain from a prestige viewpoint
and at the expense of the United
States from the viewpoint of Amer
lean rearmament.
Reich Blockade Aimed at.
Britain has plenty Of chrome and
the policy of chrome purchase from
Turkey has the dual purpose Of
blockading the Reich and supplying
the United States.
It was reported in Ankara a few
days ago that Germany would get
$500 tons of Turkish chrome and
in exchange would build Turkey a
gun factory. Whether the report
was true or not, the British did not
waste any time querying the Turks
about it. Nor did the United States
Embassy in Ankara To both. the
Turks indicated that there was no
cause for alarm.
Aside from the angle of obtaining
Turkish chrome for war produc
ton, the United States is also much
interested in what happens to the
ore because of American commit
ments to Turkey under the Lease
lend policy Although non-bel-
ligerent, Turkey is included under
the Lease-lend arrangements and
is receiving American war material
as we'll as planes from the British.
Turkey has been critical Of the
promised American aid to Greece
and to Yugoslavia which did not
arrive in time. Under the Lease
Lend Act. however, Turkey has re-
Gently received so siX-inch how
itzers. with other items on the way.
1t follows that the United States
Is anxious to see this potential aid
arrive in Turkey "in time" Thanks
to the inclusion of acknowledgement
Turkey. the lease-lend arrangement
is not nulliied by the export to
Germany of such war material as
chrome.
British Have Advantage.
As reeards other items figuring
In the Anglo-German trade battle
in Turkey. the British are in the
lead. Britain has bought more
yearly from Turkey since war began
and is selling more, In 1898 she
imported from Turkey total of
only 2.6l7,124 Turkish lire. In 1893
imports rose to 6.387,296 Turkish
lire and to nearly 3,5oO.OOo in 194o-
a.
British exports to Turkey, on the
other hand, attained a value for the
first eight months of 1941 of 49,
724.000 Turkish lire and included
such items as chemical products,
dyes. machinery, cotton. copper,
sulphates, locomotives and rolling
stock-most of which normally fig
ure largely among German exports.
Despite the requirements of the
British forces in the Near East.
Britain has made an additional ef-
fort to deliver the goods to Turkey
via the already overtaXed ports of
Egypt and Irao. not to mention the
burdened railroads.
GERMANY. on the other hand, has
had to tell the Turks it would take
p yc2r and a half for machinery to
be delivered TO Turkey. Thus the
British at present have the edge
over Germany in the trade battle.
The Germans want from Turkey
beside Chrome-wheat, nuts. dried
fruits, vegetable oils and tobacco.
The British are quick on the draw.
however, and on September 10
bought up Turkeys entire raisin
crop and large part of the fig crop.
Chrome, however, is the battles big
prize and the decision rests with the
Turks.
Copyright, 1941, by Chicago Daily News)