Turkey's Preparations
Turkey continues her mobilisation. She is still a " non- belligerent," as Dr. Saydam, the Prime Minister, emphasised on Wednesday, but is fully conscious of her responsibilities, and may be counted upon to act with judgement and fidelity should a new situation arise in the Eastern Mediterranean. She stands mid-way between two groups of countries which have been variously affected by the German victories. The reaction in the Balkans has gone far to undo her good work in preparing the basis for a common understanding among Balkan States. To the west of her, therefore—that is to say in Eastern Europe —the situation has become more troubled and precarious. But Turkey turns her other front to Asiatic peoples with whom, from the Mediterranean to India, she stands in a special rela- tionship based partly on ancient Moslem tradition and partly on her recent inspiring lead in the transition to modernism in government and civilisation. Here she finds sympathisers and friends who, like herself, eagerly desire an Allied victory—the people of Iraq, whose Foreign Minister has come to Angora for consultations, the Syrians and Palestinians, and the Arabs from Southern Arabia, to say nothing of Persia and Egypt. Among these countries, who are allies or friends of Great Britain; Turkey may be regarded as the natural protagonist, and her policy will be shaped in the light of her relationship with them as well as with Europe. The persistence in arms of the power- ful French forces in Syria will give her considerable confidence.
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