Second Free, First Fair

On Turkey's first free election day in 1946, a peasant at the polls picked up two lists--one of Republican People's Party candidates with Ismet Inoenue's portrait at the top (for the benefit of illiterates), the other of Democratic Party candidates topped by a picture of Celal Bayar. He solemnly put the Inoenue sheet in his breast pocket, saying, "My leader, your place is by my heart," and disdainfully dropped the Bayar sheet and a Democratic Party vote into the ballot box.

Though the Democrats benefited by some such mistakes, the incumbent Republicans got 85% of the votes, many of them acquired by cheating. Next Sunday Turkey will have its second free, and perhaps its first fair election. The Democrats refused to take part until a new law guaranteed them observers at every polling place. The Republicans will probably win again--by a reduced majority.

The leaders, the two chief parties and the platforms are the same as in 1946. Led by deaf, adroit President Inoenue, the Republicans are campaigning on Turkey's progress in the 27 straight years they have held power since the late great Kemal Atauerk expelled the last Sultan. Led by sober, intense ex-Premier Bayar, an Atatuerk protege ousted by Inoenue in the jockeying after Atatuerk's death, the Democrats declare that it is high time for a change.

Both parties agree on Turkey's antiCommunist, pro-West foreign policy.

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