Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎155r] (309/320)

8. Of all classes, perhaps the army is the most strongly influenced by
Oerman propaganda. The defeat of France has served greatly to strengthen
Their respect for the German military machine. Military circles were taught
by the French military mission to regard the French army as invincible, and
the fact that Germany has succeeded in defeating the French army so quickly
has impressed them immensely. It may be mentioned that the German
illustrated periodical “ Signal ” has a wide circulation in army circle, where
it is read with interest.
9. The attitude towards Great Britain is marked by two main features.
On the one hand there is, among a minority, a slight tendency to think that we
may, perhaps, after all, not be beaten, but this has not yet advanced to a
belief in the possibility of a German defeat. On the other hand our un
popularity grows in measure as that of the Shah increases, since we are held
responsible for him (see below).
10. There is also a very small minority who, discounting German accounts
of their successes, see that German attacks on the United Kingdom have so
far failed, and fear that Germany will turn away from the west to the east.
Consequently any satisfaction that those who are pro-British might have
felt at this is tempered by a fear that as a result of British resistance the war
may spread to the Middle East.
11. As regards general feeling towards Russia, various tendencies can
be observed. The Shah is said to be dissatisfied with the working of the
Russo-lranian trade agreement. This may well be the case. Moreover the
Iranian transport and transit mission sent to Russia has, as far as is known,
failed to date to achieve any results.
12. The official classes and merchants still regard Russia with fear and
distaste. The lower classes, however, and to some extent the middle classes
also, seem to have lost their fear of Russia and to regard the possibility of
Russian intervention with calm and resignation, if not with some hope, on the
grounds that their lot could noUbe worse under Russian domination and might
be better. The younger intellectuals also, partly in despair, tend towards
Russia.
13. Russian propaganda has increased recently, and seeks to show how
pleasant life is in Russia, and how happy the people. Russian films are being
pushed in the local cinemas with the help of the police authorities. As yet, however
nothing of a directly propagandist nature has been shown. Russian films’
incidentally, are highly popular, chiefly owing to the fact that the Russian
language is widely known locally. It is probable the Russians are also carry-
mg on surreptitious propaganda against the democracies, but I have no
direct evidence of this.
U. Italy has little, if any, effect on the reactions of the general public to
the war. She is on tlm whole despised, and tends to be ignoted. The
African campaign, m spite of the dynastic connection between Egypt and Iran
has failed, so far, to capture public interest, 1 ’
Id. The internal situation has worsened noticeably during the last two
months. Discontent against the regime is becoming stronger and more onen.
eports from the provinces indicate that this applies to the whole country
there has been a arge increase in the secret police recently, which is signi-
licant. It is not, however, suggested that this discontent is likely to break
out into rebellion unless external events create some new factor in the situation
hi ™ ] ™ re a® in £ dls content reacts unfavourably on our position. The whole
blame for the Shah s oppression is placed on our shoulders by educated and
uneducated alike. This largely accounts, as pointed out in earlier despatches
for the anti-Bntish and pro-German feelings of the Iranian people. 1
(33)
From British Legation, Tehran, No. 124[(21S|14|40), dated the 18th October
1940.
Tehran despatch No. 22 of 18th October 1940, to M. of I.