Evening star., 1942-12-23
Relations Of Russia
And Turkey Show
Steady Improvement
Writer, However, Denies
Reports Sensational
Developments Are Near
BY VICTOR GORDON LENNOX,
Foreign Correspondent OF The Star and

BY VICTOR GORDON LENNOX.
Foreign Correspondent of The Star and
Chicago Daily News
LONDON, Dec. 23-For the last
week, reports have been emanating
from Ankara suggesting that new.
impressive steps are impending be-
tween Turkey and Russia. placing
their relations on a firmer basis of
friendship 1t also has been as
serted that this new step, whatever
1t might be, would be Endorsed for
mally by the United States. Some
American news agencies filing from
Ankara have even declared that the
United States was offering some
form Of guarantee.
These reports coincided with the
arrival back in Ankara of American
Ambassador Laurence A. Stein
hardt. But for this fact, London
would not have been particularly in
terested. Careful inquiries show
that these reports were largely fab
ricated following sudden spate OF
rumors circulating in Ankara but
not having any solid foundation.
Your correspondent understands
that Mr. Steinhardt personally has
done everything possible to discour-
age these stories. but has not sue
ceeded in dissuading enterprising
reporters from sending out variety
of sensational versions.
Chess Session Discounted.
One largely advertised piece of
confirmatory evidence quoted is the
fact that Soviet Ambassador Vino
gradov, lately returned from a visit
! TO Moscow, spent three hours play
ing chess with Turkish Foreign
Minister Saracoglu and concluded
, that the men were talking profound
affairs of state. Actually, there was
nothing unusual in this game to
which both men are addicted and at
which they frequently enjoy hong
sessions.
Though 1t is less intriguing than
the versions sent out, your CORE
spondent has the best of reasons for
asserting that business was not
talked that day. While it is desir-
able to discount the impression tina
something sensational is pending. it
is .nonetheless. true that Russo
Turkish relations actually have been
undergoing steady. progressive i'm
provement recently. and certainly
Britain and the United States alike
warmly welcome this fact and are
constantly doing their utmost to en-
courage it.
Turkeys geographical position and
long standing belief that Russia
coveted a sphere of influence in the
Balkans has made the Turks sus-
picious of their great and powerful
northern neighbor But the actual
course OF the war and the recent
growth of confidence and under
standing between London and Mos
COW have had reassuring influence
in Ankara.
Would Resist Axis Attack.
The Russians. for their part, now
seem convinced that Turkey. while
determined to maintain outwardly
the most correct neutrality. will GER
tainly defend herself against any
Axis attack This has been strongly
underlined by indignant articles ap-
pearing in the Turkish press reject
ing the recent warning of Hitlers
Voelkischer Beobachter that coun-
tries attempting to act against Ger
many would end up like Poland.
The Turks consider this definitely
aimed against their country and
warn: No Europe country. espe-
cially Turkey, will submit to enslave-
ment by Germany"
One leading Turkish newspape
YeniSabah. commented Instead of
occupying themselves with dreams.
the Germans would better pray for
victory. At present the Allies are
beating hell out of them in Africa"
Allied supplies, including notably
American lease LEND, now are reach
ing the Turkish forces in important
amounts and the Turks feel more
confident of their ability to back up
words by actions, but there is not the
slightest reason to think they will
voluntarily abandon neutrality.
(Convrirhf IQac Nhfe.~a n.u, N>-. y..N