TURKEY THE TRIMMER

By I REN E WARD, M .P .

THE international world is . never without an enigma. Of recent months no country has provided such material- for speculation and " toing and froing " in diplomatic circles as Turkey. I detect in the immediate attitude of the Foreign Office signs of a new technique. This aspect alone must stimulate the curious. Though the British way of life allows of great flexibility in the handling of home affairs an air of subtlety in our foreign relationships is so unusual as to excite comment.

A recent, Parliamentary question to Mr. Eden as to whether he had any statement to make on the withdrawal of our Military Mission from Turkey drew a completely negative reply and 'the House refrained from any supplementaries. Such precise action on behalf of His Majesty's Government would normally have pro- voked a debate. The position is that our Mission, which was there when I was in Turkey a few weeks ago, has in fact been withdrawn, and deliveries of armaments have for the. time being at any rate ceased. Furthermore, there is no information as to our future course of action.

Turkey has had a long traditional friendship with Great Britain and in spite of the break during the last war close relationships have been maintained. Under Attaturk her development on Western lines was so speedy that it looked as if she was destined to play a stabilising part in European affairs, and the Treaty of 1939 therefore came as no surprise. The terms of the Treaty provided that Turkey would collaborate with us in the event of aggression in the Medi- terranean. As a result she should have become embroiled in the present war on two occasions on the side of the Allied Nations. When, however, Italy declared war on us and when she subsequently attacked Greece it was never contemplated, even in the hours of our own greatest peril, that we should press Turkey to implement the Treaty.

The subsequent story of our relations with Turkey is rather like a trial for murder, as one can only attempt to reconstruct the crime. In the early days of the war, before Germany attacked Russia, Turkish neutrality was not of such vital importance to her, but as one country after another became involved on one side or the other it became a matter of urgency for Hitler to retain Turkey as a non-belligerent. Herr von Papen, who undoubtedly is Germany's most supple diplomatist, began to play big, and Turkey found herself flattered and wooed at that time by the two major figures in the European conflict. Since the creation of the westernised Turkey by Attaturk no such opportunity to play a leading role in European affairs had previously presented itself. In addition there were great material advantages to be gained in the delivery of modem weapons of war, at any rate from Great Britain. A friend of mine made a clever analysis of the situation. Turkey is

like a charming debutante with many suitors striving for her favour. The adulation goes to her head and the more coy she grows the livelier becomes the competition for her hand, with presents beyond her wildest dreams dropping into her lap for the asking. She enters into the game with enthusiasm, always certain that when she does make her choice she will receive a rapturous welcome. The years pass and her charms dim. She begins to put on weight. Other debutantes with equal charm and more sterling qualities appear on the scene, and the suitor who had the most to offer, and was after all. the favourite, makes up his mind to quit for other more pleasing prospects.

It is interesting to attempt to penetrate into the mind of Turkey. She has suffered more than is realised from the death of Attaturk.

He was a man of outstanding wisdom and ability far in advance of the majority of his countrymen. He had vision tempered by common sense to a remarkable degree, and he planned with great attention to detail. He changed the capital of Turkey from Istanbul to Ankara for strategic reasons, but he enjoyed providing for every aspect of Turkish life in his new city. Beauty, education, amuse- ment, research ; they were all arranged for. For instance, he laid

out the most charming beer garden .on Continental lines, but did not forget to build the requisite brewery nearby. He started a

model farm and at the same time provided an agricultural research station. His head might have been in the clouds, but his feet were firmly on the ground.

People who have a really intimate knowledge of Turkey were amazed at her rapid development during the years of Attaturk's responsibility for her gddance. Perhaps because of his own out- standing genius he hurried the people along too quickly. Progress can be dangerous unless the foundations are very securely laid, and Turkey appears to have stood still since Attaturk's death. To change a civilisation, particularly from east to west, in the lifetime of one man must result in some repercussions.

The Turkish people, of course, have been faced with exactly the same decision as has confronted so many of Hitler's victims. To understand is to sympathise. To declare war takes courage, but no country can indefinitely sit on the fence. I remember one of my Turkish friends saying to me when I expressed admiration of the beauties of Aya Sofia, " This is why we cannot go to war." To which I replied, " What use are buildings to a nation if freedom is lost? Aya Sofia would no longer belong to the Turkish people." In their minds, however, is the vision of Istanbul laid flat by German bombers.

Turkey has however played a dangerous game. Her demands for supplies of armaments have become increasingly heavier. After our failure in the Dodecanese, an expedition in which we were justified in expecting her assistance, having regard to her Treaty obligations, she increased her demands for supplies of weapons of war out of all proportion to the original agreement. Her attitude would have been more understandable at the time of Italian aggression, when a British victory viewed through Turkish eyes possibly appeared doubtful, but now that the success of the Allied nations is assured the attempt to play off the Germans against our- selves and at the same time acquire material resources from us savours purely of the mercenary.

What are the considerations which influence the Turkish leaders? Fear of German vengeance or of the post-war policy of Russia? The natural reaction of the ordinary Turkish citizen to the possi- bility of Germany's vengeance is to continue to play for safety in the hope that decisive action can be delayed for ever. The people are still under the spell of Attaturk's genius, and they have failed to perceive that the golden era of progress which commanded the admiration of the world can only be continued if the nation accepts responsibility. The emphasis of leadership has in fact changed from the direction of a brilliant personality to a whole people The Turkish nation proved to be admirable followers of a most remarkable man. History alone will prove whether their qualities arc creative as well as imitative.

Those Britons who value our associations with Turkey realise she is now at the crossroads. Her destiny for generations to come may well depend on decisions taken now. So much has she been the centre of diplomatic manoeuvres that as the months slip by she finds it difficult to believe that a moment will come when her effective' help will no longer be of interest to the United Nations.

I know Finland comparatively well ; I have a great admiration for the Finnish people ; and I found a closer approach to the under- lying principles of British democracy in that country than in almost any other. I have watched with regret the happenings of the war years as I know she considered her traditional enemy was the Russia of the past, and isolated, she has made out of her own fears an attempt to create a balance of power.

The position of Turkey can be compared in many ways with Finland's. She has alio played with great skill and a measure of success to maintain a balance of power.' It is to Turkey's credit that she favoured us when Germany was in the ascendant, though she threw her weight against us when Russia's defeat of Germany became inevitable. The tragedies which have befallen the small countries since the outbreak of the first world war make grim history, and their security is a responsibility which has first call on the Big Four. Possibly the trouble with Turkey is that Attaturk saw her as a Great Power and that she is not yet ready for such a position. • So what of the future? Our debutante is no longer the centre of attraction. Her most faithful admirer shows signs of seeking pastures new. There are many years for her to consider besides the fascinating days of irresponsible immaturity.