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which is arousing some interest. It is hoped, before the exhibition closes, to give
a reception to local notables at which at least some of the members of the mission
will be present to give their personal experiences.
Security.
9. Asa result of further strong pressure by this mission the Persian Govern^
ment and the Soviet Embassy eventually agreed that the Persian suspects
the internment camp at Sultanabad on the Russian list should be transferred to
the Russian zone. They were removed from Sultanabad on the 3rd February,
and after a stay in Tehran were transferred to Resht. The joint investigation
by the Anglo-Persian Commission of the suspects on the British list was completed
by the 23rd February, and it was decided to release twenty-three; only one of
them, however, was found to be completely innocent. The remainder were made
to sign an undertaking :—
(a) To refrain from anti-Allied activities;
(b) To notify any change of address;
(c) To report to the police when required; and
(d) To communicate to the Persian and British authorities any information
regarding anti-Allied activities which might come to their notice.
The Soviet Embassy was kept informed of the release of these suspects.
10. In the middle of March the Persian Government pressed His Majesty’s
Mission to allow the internees still remaining at Sultanabad to be transferred to
Tehran. This has been agreed to in principle, and the internees will be
transferred as soon as the new camp has been made secure.
11. After prolonged negotiations with the British Security authorities the
Qashgai handed over to them four Germans whom they had been harbouring for
a number of months. A fifth German, who was born in Russia but had lived
many years in Persia, had escaped or had been allowed to escape two or three
weeks before. So far as is known there are no other Germans loose in Persia.
12. Our Security authorities had intercepted in Syria two of
Nasir Qashgai’s brothers, who were returning to Persia from Germany, and this
was not without influence on the outcome of the negotiations. The two gentlemen
are now being restored to the bosom of their tribe.
Antflo-Persian Public Relations.
13. The Public Relations Bureau continued to disseminate propaganda
material in considerable quantities throughout the country. This reading matter
is eagerly sought after and the principal periodicals are now firmly established.
A new venture in the form of a fortnightly children’s newspaper, designed
primarily to project Britain and the Commonwealth to the impressionable youth
of Persia, has been particularly successful, and over 17,500 copies are regularly
bought by school-children all over the country.
14. The half-hour daily broadcasts from Tehran Radio by the Public
Relations Bureau were favourably received, and particular interest was shown
in a new series of talks given by Persian “ guest speakers.” The mobile cinema
vans of the bureau continued to give performances throughout the country, and
in several areas reached audiences which had hitherto never seen a cinema.
15. Window displays and exhibitions on a variety of subjects were arranged
in Tehran and at our consulates. An exhibition of pictures depicting “ Women
of Great Britain ” attracted special attention and was seen by many thousands
of people.
16. Publicity was given to the activities of the Middle East Supply Centre
and other British institutions giving material help to the country through the
medium of special articles written for the English daily newspaper published
by the bureau and for the local Persian press.
17. Special attention continued to be paid to propaganda directed towards
the many Allied nationals in Tehran and the classes in English instituted by
the Bureau by agreement with the British Council attracted over 400 pupils
from the Czech and Polish communities.
British Council Activities.
18. Tehran. —-The Anglo-Persian Institute in Tehran now has 800 adult
students and 750 club members. The staff also teaches in the University,
Teachers’ Training College, schools, Technical College and Survey Department
of the Ministry of Mines, and the National Bank. By using the voluntary