Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎151r] (301/320)

flie belief that France’s defeat was due largely to lack of British support. It
would seem, therefore, that this pro-French feeling is in part merely another
manifestation of anti-British feeling. The tone of recent articles in the press,
purporting to enlighten public opinion on the international 1 situation, though not
openly hostile are of such a kind as to strengthen anti-British tendencies. For
example an article entitled “ Why was France defeated ” in the Iran of July
' 16th states that this was due to two main causes, firstly lack of British support
and. secondly French ignorance of mechanised warfare. Petain’s statement
regarding British help to France is quoted and no mention is made of the
British side of the question.
8. Talk of peace is once more common. While the desire for peace may
be put forward under the pretext of the uselessness of war and its accompany
ing slaughter, it is no doubt chiefly due, consciously or unconsiously, to the fear
(hat the war may spread to the Middle East and to the hope that trade may
improve on the conclusion of hostilities.
9. Allhough public opinion is strongly pro-German, the government on the
other hand, have taken and are reported to be taking various measures against
the Germans. This would seem to be connected with the violent attacks on the
Shah in the Persian broadcasts from Berlin in the first week in July. The
Tehran press protested on July 4th and 5th at the tone of these broadcasts
without actually mentioning that attacks had been made on the Shah. A pre
vious article, however, had already appeared on June 5th in the Ittila’at pro
testing at the threatening tone of the Berlin broadcasts.
10. A number of Germans (said to be in the neighbourhood of 300) have
been told to leave the country and are reported to be awaiting Russian visas.
A number of others have also been moved from the southern provinces to Tehran,
possibly in order that a closer watch may be kept on them. It is also reported
that contracts granted to Germans are being scrutinised closely.
11. (n addition, the Prime Minister, Matin Daftary, who was known to have
strong pro-German views, was dismissed on 26th June and replaced by Ali
Mansur who has, amongst the older generation, at least, a reputation for being
favourably disposed towards the British. It is not to be supposed that this
in itself will lead to any change in the policy of the Iranian Government, but
the effect of the change upon public opinion was on the whole favourable.
12. On the other hand in spite of the indications mentioned above that the
government is becoming alive to the danger of possible German fifth column
activities, any good effects which the above measures may have had on public
opinion in Iran have been largely counteracted by the publication and discussion
of the sixth German White Book. Extracts from this have been given in the
press and in the Persian broadcasts from Berlin. A number of articles have
appeared in the press (e.g., Ittila’at, July 8th, Iran, July 5th, 8th, 9th) on the
subject, expressing surprise that the Russians should have taken the German
allegations of Iranian complicity in Allied plans to bomb Baku and Batoum
seriously aud that Iran, who had no cause to be pleased with Great Britain, had
no reason to co-operate with the British, and repeating her oft-expressed inten
tion of remaining neutral. In addition to this a DNB communique headed
Tehran was published in the press stating that the Iranian Government were
to take measures as a result of difficulties with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company
and that anti-British feeling especially after the publication of the German
White Book was daily growing. The effect of this on public opinion, who
know that the press is carefully controlled by the government, is to suggest to
them that anti-British sentiments are not frowned upon by the authorities and
that the latter are seeking to put themselves on good terms with Germany,
which again suggests to them that the government consider a German victory
likely. Mr. Butler’s statement in the House of Commons on this subject was
reproduced in the local press, but has not, as yet, received much prominence,
though it is known that the Minister for Foreign Affairs thought it satis
factory An East India Company trading post. . !
13. Lastly it may be mentioned that the Iranian Government have taken
this moment to make claims against the Anlglo-Iranian Oil Company. At one
time there was a certain amount of talk among the people about expropriation,
but this seems to have died down, and the general opinion to be that the Iranian
Government are merely attempting to extort more money from the Company.
That this should be so, however, does not tend to heighten the prestige of Great
Britain.