Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎149r] (297/320)

2. It is not suggested that Iran is a very useful member of the Saadabad
group or that the Iranians would in fact, as the enclosed article asserts, sacri
fice their lives in defence of liberty and independence ; but it is of interest that
the Iranian Government should have plucked up courage enough to speak
openly of the pact with their three neighbours.
3. Copies of this despatch and its enclosure are being sent to His Majesty ’s
Ambassadors at Ankara and Bagdad, the Secretary to the Government of India
in the External Affairs Department, and to the Middle East Intelligence Centre,
Cairo.
Sub-Enclosure to Serial No. (17).
Summary of Article in the “ Ettcdaat ” of 16th April 1940.
The present war has reminded eastern countries of the value which they
have for each other. The 1914 war brought great loss and unhappiness to the
eastern peoples, but at the same time it gave them a good lesson. They realised
that not only had they gained no advantage from the promises and deceptions
of Europe during the XIX century, but they had been the victims of her ambi
tions. They therefore chose that moment for their resurrection, rallying round
leaders of genius to whom they entrusted the reigns of authority, hitherto in
the hands of foreign agents ; and while the European peoples tried to repair
•the damage and losses of the War, those of the East advanced rapidly along
the path of civilisation, making up for the time they had lost. The first thing
for them to do was to unite, disunion fostered by foreigners having been one of
the greatest faults of’the East. Forgetting their small differences they opened
the way to a real union by the conclusion of political pacts and economic agree
ments. The present war has shown the value of this union. If during the last
war eastern countries took up arms 'to serve the purposes of the belligerent
powers, to-day they are endeavouring to constitute a solid barrier in order to
maintain their neutrality and preserve the peace in this part of Asia. They
are resolved to lend each other brotherly aid in'these critical moments. Such a
union, such brotherhood, reigns in fact between Iran and Turkey. These two
countries will assist each other in face of anything that may happen. This
union, which has come about naturally, without talk or propaganda, is a new
fact in the political world. The peoples of Europe would never have imagined
that this large portion of the world formerly the plaything of their ambitions,
could turn into an impassable barrier. They could never have believed that
these noble peoples would aim at the destruction of foreign designs upon them.
“ It is our wish ”, they cry, “ to make peace reign over these countries, once
the battle-field of rival ambitions ; and by concord and unity to defend our
liberty and our independence. For that ideal we are prepared to sacrifice
our lives
( 18 )
Fkom Bitish Legation, Tehran, No. 70 (218j8|40), dated 18th May 1940.
Tehran Press Attache despatch No. 218|8|40, dated 18th May 1940.
Enclosure to Serial No. (18).
Despatch from British Legation, Tehran, to the Ministry of Information,
London, No. 18 (218j8j40), dated 18th May 1940. I
I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a report by the Press
Attache on the internal situation, in continuation of the report which was
enclosed in my despatch No. 104 of April 8th to the Foreign Office. I have
dealt with the internal situation as affecting British interests in my telegram
No. 136 of May 17th to the Foreign Office.
2. A copy of this despatch and enclosure is being forwarded to His
Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign, Affairs, the Political
Intelligence Department. Foreign Office, the Secretary to the Government of
India in the External Affairs Department, His Majesty’s Ambassador, Bagdad,
and to the Middle East Intelligence Centre, Cairo. _ ,