Evening star., 1942-07-03
Turkey in Danger
Despite Her Treaties
Writer Explains Threat
To Ankoro Republic
In Near East War
Bu Bertrdnl Benedict.


The Axis drive into Egypt may prove
more of a threat to Turkey by shutting
off Allied nations supply routes than by
bringing Axis troops into striking distance
of Turkey. Even If Rommels forces reach
the Suez Canal, they would still have to
traverse about 125 miles of Egypt, $50
miles of Palestine or Trans jordania, and
300 miles of Syria to invade Turkey from
the south.
The fall of Sevastopol, especially If
some of the Russian Black Sea fleet were
to fall in usable condition into German
hands, might be much more of threat
to Turkey. If the Germans threatened
to move against Turkey across the Black
Sea, Ankara might find discretion the
better part of valor. AS 1t is, the Ger
mans have developed major military
and air base in Bulgaria, near Jambol,
only about 80 minutes flying distance
from Istanbul. And Bulgaria has some
thing of an army. All of Turkeys neigh
bors have now been invaded or occupied
Bulgaria, Greece and the Soviet Union
by the Axis; Syria Iraq and Iran by
the British
The Turkish Army is supposed to con-
sist of about million men-reputedly
tough fighters and we'll drilled, but pos
sibly short of modern war-waging equip
ment. The Turkish Navy is small. So
far the Turkish government has refused
to give belligerent warships Of either side
access to the Black Sea through the
Dardanelles.
In 1899, after Italy occupied Albania,
Turkey concluded a treaty with Great
Britain and France whereby each side
was to come to the assistance Of the
other in case either were attacked in
Mediterranean war. Turkey was to get
credits and military supplies, Britain and
France were to get de, buy) Turkish
products. The treaty seems to have con-
tanned escape clauses-at all events, Tur-
key has remained on-belligerent.
The treaty provided that it was not to
require Turkey to take sides against Rus
sia for relations between Ankara and
Moscow had become friendly. When
Russia aligned itself with Germany in
August, 1899, the Turks feared a joint
German Russian drive into the Balkans,
and became suspicious Of the Soviet gov
ernment. Nevertheless, Russo-Turkish
treaty of non-aggression was signed in
October, 1899, and another in March,
1941. When Russia was attacked by Ger
many in June, 194l, the former friendly
relations between Ankara and Moscow
broke out again.
Turkey viewed with alarm the German
invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece, and
modified its army, but the rapid success
of the German arms restrained the Tur-
kish government from aiding the Greeks,
If it had had any such intention. BY
this time, Turkey was unable to get
British supplies through the Mediterra-
mean, but could send supplies to Ger
many, and receive German supplies,
across the Balkans.
In June, 1941 few days prior to the
German invasion of Russia, Turkey
signed with Germany a 10-year treaty
of non-aggression. Each party agreed to
respect the others territorial integrity
and to take no measures aimed directly
or indirectly against the other. Turkey
declared that the treaty was signed with
the acquiescence of the British govern
ment: the preamble declared that the
prior commitments of either party were
not affected. In October, 1941, Turkey
signed a trade treaty with Germany
whereby Turkey was to get war supplies
from Germany and Germany was to get
chromium ore and other products from
Turkey.
On December 3, 194l, President Roose-
velt proclaimed Turkey a state whose
defense was vital to the security of the
United States, thereby making Turkey
eligible for lend d-iease supplies from the
United States.