Ext 5001/41 'PERSIA – INTERNAL (Miscellaneous despatches).' [‎101r] (201/248)

Soviet Interests.
18. During the period under review the Russians have shown particular
interest in that part of Persia outside their zone, as well as increasing suspicion
of British and American policy. For instance, a scientific expedition, consisting
of twelve persons and headed by Lieutenant-General Professor Pavlovsky, an
expert on malaria, has toured South - F>astern Persia accompanied by a British
liaison officer. The Soviet military attache, evidently acting under instructions,
has asked a number of questions about road and aerodrome construction by the
British army and our troop movements in Eastern Persia. Anglo-Soviet relations
here are none too easy at the best of times, but the situation has not been rendered
easier by the attitude of the Soviet Embassy in refusing to issue passes for British
military personnel to visit their zone, unless they are satisfied that their journey
is directly concerned with the furtherance of aid to Russia. Further, they have
resisted our proposal to station a liaison officer with the Soviet forces to reside
in Tabriz, and have only agreed that we may send one officer &nd^ a number of
other ranks to Tabriz to deal with the work arising out of U.K.C.C. and British
military convoys. Soviet-American relations in Persia are passing through a
difficult phase.' Permission has been refused for the Americans to build standard
accommodation for lorry drivers along the road to Tabriz and, in consequence, the
Americans have refused to send the convoys and are dumping supplies at Qazvin.
An American stationed at Tabriz as Mr Sheridan’s representative has been
requested to return to Tehran to get his residence permit renewed, and it is
understood that representations have been made at Washington regarding the
alleged anti-Soviet attitude of the American Consul at Tabriz. Both these officials
are now in Tehran and are unlikely to return to their posts. It is also clear that
the Soviet authorities are suspicious and jealous of the presence of the American
advisers. Recently the Soviet Ambassador asked the Prime Minister why Persia
wanted to hand over her affairs to foreigners “after twenty years ”; and the
Minister of War alleges that the ambassador asked him why, if foreign advisers
were necessary, the Persian Government did not engage Soviet advisers, as the
Soviet Union’was the best administered country in the world. It may not be
fanciful to suppose that the Russians are fomenting opposition to the Millspaugh
Bill not only because of their objection to the American influence, but also because,
as I indicated in my despatch No. 80 of the 25th February, they may, for their
own reasons, prefer the continuance of the existing disorder.
The Press.
19. The press, non-existent at the beginning of the year as a result of the
ban imposed after the 8th December, has been allowed to reappear subject to
the approval of the editors and owners by a committee of control. The control
has unfortunately been slack and inefficient and the capital has now been
inundated with about forty newspapers. Frequently articles have appeared laying
all the economic evils of Persia at the door of the Allies, and worded in several
cases so as to impute most of the blame to His Majesty’s Government. In many
cases I have been obliged to make the strongest representations to the 1 i une
Minister against these unwarranted attacks and criticisms, but the latter, who
has shown firmness and courage in launching his programmes of lefoim, has
displayed deplorable weakness in dealing with the press. One of the ™p s f
scurrilous papers has, however, been suppressed at my request. Another of which
I complained has also been suppressed, though in this case it had also offended
the Shah by suggesting that the troubles of the 8th December were instigated
by the Court. M. Soheily has undertaken to suppress any other which may in
future attack the Allies, and to issue no more licences. He has also had an editor
arrested for a personal attack on His Majesty’s Minister.
20. Unfortunately the anti-British tone of the press reflects only too faith
fully the trend which public opinion has taken during the trials and privations
of the past winter. In my telegram No. 232 of the 1st March I drew attention
to the dangerous situation which has arisen, in which we are compared unfavour
ably with the Russians because, owing to natural causes and our desire to send
all possible help to Russia, conditions in the Russian zone are generally better
than they are elsewhere in Persia. , , .
21 In this situation our task during the next few months must be to
increase our contribution to the welfare of the Persian people to the greatest
extent consistent with the provision of necessary supplies to Russia. the
principal element in the promotion of their welfare can only be internal ^iorm
and reorganisation of the trade in, and distribution of, essential goods In this
sphere we must clearly give all possible support and encouragement to the
Government’s programme, more especially in regard to the Millspaugh Bill.