Puzzle in Policy

"For as long as you can honorably do so, keep Turkey out of war. But if you must go to war, don't fight on Germany's side. With Germany, you lose if you win." --such were the legendary last words of Mustafa Kamal Atatuerk, creator of modern Turkey.

Last week Turkey's Premier Dr. Refik Saydani (rhymes with "by damn"), the bald little former Health Minister whose hospitals and clinics brought fine physical health to "the sick man of Europe," died of a heart attack at 61. Dr. Saydani had had personal leanings toward the United Nations.

To be his successor, President Ismet Inoenue promptly appointed a man whose similar leanings are not taken for granted: robust, greying Foreign Minister Suekrue Saracoglu (rhymes with "marrow jaw glue"), 52, who in his time has held Turkey's portfolios of Finance, Justice, Interior and Education, who has helped President Inoenueue plot and steer Turkey's present course. Hearty, bull-voiced Saracoglu sports a Hitler-style mustache and has often been suspected of Axis sympathies.

But Premier Saracoglu gives loud salutes in all directions, once even roared "Tovarich!" at Joseph Stalin. The United Nations might have a few misgivings, but still there was no basis to doubt that Turkey's big hope is still to stay neutral. In World War I Turkey took a violent beating as an active flank of the Central Powers. In World War II, as a neutral flank of both sides, she has suffered no more than nerve strain and high cost of living. Neutrality lessens the danger of real conflict between those of her citizens who are pro-Axis (mostly upper and middle classes) and those who are pro-Ally (mostly army and peasantry). If she remains neutral she will not only avoid carnage and destruction but, whoever wins, she may do well at the peace table.

The only real danger to United Nations interests in Turkey is likely to arise if there are further Allied reverses in the Near East and if Turkey is forced to take sides--if, for example, Adolf Hitler wants a Turkish road to the East. Then the United Nations can only hope that Turkey's statesmen will bear in mind the supposed last words of their old friend and idol, Kamal Atatuerk.

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