Victories by Treaty

The winter military campaign in the Mediterranean is something that the Axis does not care to think about. The winter diplomatic campaign in the Mediterranean last week also took a turn that made Hitler and Mussolini wince. Britain signed up Turkey and Spain, at the opposite ends of the southern sea, with promising agree ments.

Recent threats and inducements of Hit ler's velvet-voiced diplomat. Ambassador Franz von Papen, had failed to impress Turkey's astute little President. Ismet Inonii. Asked how he had managed to withstand the foremost Nazi pressure ex pert, the President declared: "Allah be praised, I am deaf." Not deaf was Tur key's leader to less polished but meatier promises of British Ambassador Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen. Last week his country firmly snubbed the Axis by signing a comprehensive economic agreement with Britain. By her sharp barter tactics Germany had corralled 54% of Turkey's ex port trade, regarded her as an essential source of supply. As a result of the new agreement the British Empire may replace Germany as Turkish customer No. 1, and in return for tobacco, farm products and minerals it will supply machinery, railway equipment, cotton, wool. Not mentioned but probably included in the agreement was a substantial credit to Turkey.

The Turkish press, long held in check, assumed a sudden truculence. "If we are forced to choose between fighting like lions or being driven like sheep ... we shall not hesitate to give an example of virile courage that will astonish the world," wrote the Government organ Ulus. "The boasted equality . . . means nothing but equality in slavery under Germany and Italy," scoffed Yeni Sabah.

Bread, not Bayonets. At the western gateway to the Mediterranean, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, facing a foodless winter, turned to Britain and the U. S. with a plea for aid. From Britain, Franco asked credit, food and the lifting of the blockade to permit imports to reach Spain.

From the U. S. he asked a credit of $100,0000,000 to buy food for his people. In return he was willing to record his "intention" to keep the peace for the duration of the war. To Britain this consideration was worth much.

Don Ramon Serrano Suner, Spanish Foreign Minister, sat down with British Ambassador Sir Samuel Hoare in Madrid and signed a commercial agreement that freed frozen Spanish credits in Britain and provided the basis for a revival of Anglo-Spanish trade. Opening transactions included the sending of 6.000 tons of manganese ore, urgently needed by the Spanish steel industry, and a cargo of jute from India. Spain contracted to send her entire export crop of bitter oranges and large quantities of sweet oranges to England, and was assured of an end to difficulties over the import of seed potatoes.

Although the U. S. Government had not answered the Generalissimo's request by week's end, it had indicated its willingness to have the American Red Cross arrange for immediate shipments of essential foodstuffs, including a good-will cargo of wheat.

Britain breathed easier, hoped that both ends of the Mediterranean were now secure.

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