The Position of Turkey
The position of Turkey is one of extreme difficulty, a fact which is fully appreciated in this country. There is no question about her desire to adhere loyally to her treaty obliga- tions. She is in complete sympathy with the Allies, regards a victory for them as essential to her own well-being and to world civilisation, and is fully aware of the fact that she holds a key position between Europe and Asia in the maintenance of an economic blockade. But naturally at such a moment as this she pauses before turning from the status of a non-belligerent to that of an active combatant. The uncertain intention of Russia is one cause of anxiety to her. Another, and even greater, is the position of France. The treaties which she has made with the Allies pre-supposed a France engaged to the full in a war against Italy, capable of helping as well as being helped, and at the moment it is not clear what the position of the French Government is. She is specially concerned about the status of Syria and of the great French army there which has been one of the factors making for security upon which Turkey depended in the event of her participation in the war. Can an Allied Eastern front be effectively maintained? Can Turkey count on effectual naval, military and air assistance in case of emergency? These are matters which will be sym- pathetically discussed between the Turkish Government and representatives of Great Britain. In any case the precise form Turkey's active intervention should take always depended on the development of events.
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