urkey and the War
The speech delivered by President Inonii at the opening session the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Monday has con- ‘cterable significance, particularly when considered in connexion ith the meeting between the Foreign Minister, M. Menemenjoglu, d Mr. Eden at Cairo. Turkey has till recently been in an exposed sition strategically, and while closely bound . by treaty to this
country, she has had to shape her policy with considerable discretion. President Inonii's speech suggests that the need for that is felt to be substantially less acute than it was, notably his declaration of belief in the freedom and independence of nations and his opposition to any force that aims at " debasing nations to the level of slavery." Turkey sees today the danger of any attack by Germany receding to vanishing-point, and at the same time the Moscow decisions, while making for general reassurance to any country which rests its hopes on an Allied victory, will certainly have removed any ground for apprehensions which Turkey may have entertained (though they were, in fact, already disappearing) regarding her Russian neighbour's attitude towards her. Her entry into the war is not believed to be in contemplation, but there are various facilities which she could offer the Allies at this juncture in the war, both for their benefit and ultimately for her own, and the day when retaliation by Germany might be seriously feared is gone. Turkey, moreover, may well be considering the desirability of making good her claim to a voice in the peace discussions.
