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Schwartzkopf, the American adviser to the gendarmerie, an added incentive to
improve the force. No steps have yet been taken to bring Nazir Qashgai to heel.
Dashti.
13. Ali Ismail of Daiyyir has made nominal submission to the Persian
government and is reported to have been given twenty rifles for the maintenance
^ order in his area.
Khuzestan.
14. The Persian General Staff are planning somewhat elaborate operations
to be based on Behbehan, against the Boir Ahmadi, who, as previously reported'
do not make even outward pretence of recognising the authority of the Persian
Government. It is too early yet to be sure that operations on the scale proiected
will ever take place. ,J
Russian Affairs.
Keinfoi cements of about 2,000 troops reached Meshed from Semnan
S 1 ?! wi The Russian garrison at Meshed is now estimated to be about
3,000, exclusive of air force.
16. The Soviet authorities have recently shown a delicate consideration for
1 ersian susceptibilities. Anything savouring of interference in Persia’s internal
aftaiis is in the capital officially tabooed. They have even written polite notes
VI? T >ers i ari War Office asking for permission to use certain installations ot
which they had already some time previously taken possession. They recentlv
summoned Kurdish leaders to Ushnu and, according to the reports of Kurds who
were present, warned them against creating disorder and threatened to take their
own measures to suppress it. This may indicate increased confidence in the
situation on the Turkish frontier as much as a desire to help the Persian Govern
ment. Although they still keep Persian troops practically interned in Rezaieh,
they have allowed the Persian authorities to import extra rifles to Western
Azerbaijan for the purpose of arming an additional force of 400 gendarmes,
who are to be recruited for the prevention of smuggling.
Caucasus.
17. Newspapers from Erivan report the trials of persons guilty of
preparing to help the enemy.
A fcjhan A ffairs.
18. The Afghan General, Abdul Ahad Khan, recently passed through
Tehran on his way to Angora, allegedly for medical treatment.
German Affairs.
19. On the 9th September, at about 1430 hours local time, a German
aeroplane dropped leaflets on Pahlevi. The pamphlets were in Azerbaijani
Turkish and appear to have been intended for the Caucasian people, who were
promised early deliverance and were asked to give no assistance to the nearly-
defeated Russian armies. Some commotion was caused in the area. Some local
inhabitants showed pleasure; some contractors working for British authorities
in connexion with the Polish evacuation demanded immediate payment of their
money, but there was little sign of panic. The incident has received no publicity
in the Persian press. A report from Russian sources says that the aircraft was
forced down near Tiflis on its homeward flight.
Tehran, September 15, 1942.