Evening star., 1944-08-03
Tll-Nazi Break
Allies Most BY
lIllinafion Of Spies
BY JOSEPH H. BAIRD.

The elimination Of some 2.00(
actual or potential Axis spies from
the Near Eastern war theater was
viewed by oflicials here today as the
greatest benefit to the United Ma
tions that will come from Turkeys
break in diplomatic relations with
Germany.
Other advantages that will ac-
'crue to the Allies from Ankara's
action were listed as:
l. Complete stoppage Of all ex-
ports from Turkey to Germany. in
cluding some vital war materials
which were still reaching the Reich
despite the Turkish government's
curtailment Of trade with the Ger
mans during recent months.
2. The psychological effect OF
Turkeys action in the Balkan states,
particularly Bulgaria and Romania,
in which Ankara traditionally has
exercised influence. The Turkish
break with Germany is a clear in
dication that the Turks are con-
WINGED that Hitler hasn't q chance
of winning the war, and this con-
viction will not be lost on Turkeys
neighbors, already wavering in their
allegiance to Berlin.
Steinhardt Due Here Today.
Laurence A. Steinhardt, American
Ambassador to Turkey, is expected
here today to confer with State De-
no yt mani of9ciolc ~, Ay,to ro - Ia <nc+
move, which is due in no small part
to negotiations which he, the British
Ambassador, Sir Hugh Knatchbull-
fHugeson, and the Russian envoy,
S. G. M. Vinogradov, carried on with
the Turks for many months. Mr..
Steinhardt, it was said, will return
to his post in Ankara soon. He has
been vacationing in New York.
Turkey, because Of its geographic
cal position as the corridor between
Europe and the Near East, long has
been the "springboard" for Axis
agents in that section of the world
where large Allied military and
naval forces are stationed. These
spies have been able to give Berlin
much useful information about
troop, plane and ship movements.
Now, with the breaking of rela-
tions, it is assumed that most of the
estimated 1000 German nationals
in Turkey will return home. Those
who fear the Gestapo and remain
in Turkey will be placed under
police surveillance, it is understood
here, and hardly will be able to car
ry out secret service activities.
Economic Moose Tightening.
Although Turkey recently cut of
all shipments of chrome to Ger
many, it still was exporting such
valuable supplies as copper, oil seeds,
hides and tanning extracts. Under
Ankara's announced policy of sever
ing commercial as well as diplomatic
ties, this trade will cease. Thus the
Turkish action is viewed here as
another hitch in the economic rope
gradually Tightening around the
Reich.
If Germany carries out it's threat
to attack Turkey should it continue
its present policy, officials here
realized that Istanbul may take a
serious pounding from German
planes before Allied air forces can
come to Turkeys aid. Istanbul is
largely wooden city and is highly
vulnerable to incendiaries. This
has been one reason for Turkish
reluctance TO break with Germany.
However, America and Great Brit
ain have supplied the Turks with a
number of modern planes and con-
siderable antiaircraft materiel.
Istanbul is not defenseless.
II the issue should come to war
It is understood that the Turks
have about 100000 soldiers ready to
take the field at once and can call
up an equal number of reserves
within short time. The Turkish
Army, however, Is relatively weak
in tanks and mechanical equip
.ment.