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already received an expression of regret from Nazir Qashgai for his brother s
action and a promise that their mother will come to Shiraz to prove their loyalty
to Government.
It would be unwise to build too much on this action, but it indicates that
there may be no truth in the rumours of collusion between the G.O.C. the Ears
division and the Qashgai. It also shows that some Persian troops are not afraid
to block the path of the Qashgai and reminds the tribes of the existence of the
” rsia £ Government. But even if the normal routes are all successfullv
controlled it will not result in the disarmament of the tribes. The armed men
will move further east via the Kuh-i-Galu country, where they may come into
conflict with the Boir Ahmadi, a contingency hoped for by the Persian
authorities.
10. The garrison of Ears is to be increased by one battalion of infantry
four tanks and one mountain battery. The battery will remain permanently,
the infantry and tanks will return after the occupation of Firuzabad,
which is to be undertaken shortly. The occupation of Firuzabad by
Government forces may not eliminate Nasir Qashgai, but it will reduce his
prestige and enhance that of the Government.
Bakhtiari.
11. N The appointment of even the two minor Bakhtiari Khans to positions
of influence in their own country which was reported, though incorrectly, in
Summary No. 34/42, paragraph 7, has resulted in wails and complaints from
the villagers of ( hahar Mahel against their subjection again to the old regime
of exaction and oppression that was customary in the days of the older khans.
Authorised to confiscate on Government account certain stocks of grain, the two
officially recognised khans appear to have done some confiscation on their own
account and to have infected other khans with this acquisitive habit. Some of
the latter, including the important Shihab es Sultaneh, have been arrested by
the G.O.C., the Isfahan division.
In Summary No. 34/42 the two khans, Manuchir Assad and Abul Qashim.
were incorrectly reported as having been appointed to governorships. These
appointments were not sanctioned and the two khans have some indefinite position
as agents of the Persian Government in Bakhtiari.
Russian Affairs.
12. General Melnik, commanding Soviet forces in North-West Persia, paid
a brief visit to Tehran. He said that although he had been anxious about the
situation some weeks ago he was now confident that the Russian forces in the
Caucasus were adequate. He talked much of the “ Second Front ” and was
obviously at a loss to understand why it had not already been opened. He was
losing his cavalry from North-West Persia and was receiving some infantry in
their place.
13. Supplies to Russia by the Zahedan-Meshed road are still interrupted
by floods in Sind.
American Affairs.
14. Mr. Sheridan, the Adviser to the Ministry of Food, has arrived in
Persia.
Tehran, October 6, 1942.