Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎156r] (311/320)

8. The Armenian community, and in particular the Dashnak party, are
divided among themselves. The local leaders of the Dashnak party are losing
ground in their efforts to keep the party pro-Ally. In Tehran there is a
tendency for the party to turn to Russia, for this reason that they are beginning
to see in Russia the only hope of help for the restoration of an independent
Armenia. In this connection it might be mentioned that the ^Erivan radio
station has recently taken an unusual interest in pro-Bolshevik Armenian
revolutionary and nationalist writers. This among other things cannot fail
to arouse in Armenians the memory of the hardships they suffered under the
Turks. On the other hand, in Tabriz, where there is a large Armenian
minority, the Dashnak party as a whole are strongly hostile to Russia and pro-
German almost to a man.
9. The following notes u'pon the situation in the province of Azerbaijan
which, in view of the possible advance of Germany from the Balkans eastwards
holds, by virtue of its geographical situation, a not unimportant position, may
be of interest. They are not intended to be a complete account of the situa
tion in Azerbaijan, being merely a few observations made during a brief
visit :—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
It is hardly necessary to state that Azerbaijan with its predomi
nantly Turkish population differs somewhat from the rest of
Iran. The population generally are more hardworking and
thrifty than elsewhere in Iran, and the proportion of leading men
in public life who are Turkish or partly Turkish is high. Efforts
have been and are being made under the present regime to per-
sianize the province. It is doubtful how far these have been
successful. The Azerbaijan still refers to himself as a Turk
{Azerbaijani and not “ Osmanli ”) and not a Persian, but on the
other hand the Persian language seems to be more widely under
stood in Tabriz than it was some few years ago. High local
officials such as the governor are almost invariably chosen by the
central government from among non-Azerbaijanis.
The Shah is said, possibly with some truth, to have a dislike for
Azerbaijan and to give little help to the province. In any case
less has been done for Tabriz than other leading towns in the way
of modernisation of buildings and streets so dear to the Shah’s
heart, and the potential riches of the province appear to have
been little developed. This may be due not only to a personal
antipathy for Azerbaijan on the part of the Shah but also to a
fear lest a flourishing Azerbaijan should attract the cupidity of
her neighbours, Turkey and Russia.
In spite of this neglect there is an air of prosperity to be seen in
Tabiiz in comparison, that is to say, with the generally miserable
condition of other Persian towns. This may be due to a variety
of causes, among them the thrift of the population, a relatively
flourishing merchant class, a number of factories (some of which
have been established for some years), transit and other trade
with Germany and Russia, and possibly also a greater freedom
from interference from the capital.
The German colony in Azerbaijan is numerous. It is well orga
nised and active. German influence among the official classes,
civil and military, locally is strong, while many key points in the
industrial life of the province are held by Germans. It is stated
by reliable sources that a considerable amount of money is ex
pended by the Germans in propaganda. There is a well-organised
whispering campaign ; its immediate objects appear to be to stir
up discontent against the Pahlevi regime and to encourage the be
lief that the Shah is the tool of the British and impress the popula
tion with German might and the certainty of German victory in
the war A recent instance of their methods is offered by the
bread shortage m the province. In the spring of this vear, there
was a serious shortage of bread in the province owing to the fact
that grain had been removed bv the Government Wheat Mono
poly to other parts of Iran. This autumn a serious shortage
again occurred, and this time it appears to have been due in part
to sabotage, probably at German instigation. The people were