Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎89v] (178/749)

2
A ppointments — Civil.
5 ~ ’(i) Issan Surush, to be Civil Governor of Tehran.
(ii) Ahmad Zalli, from Director-General of Customs to be Director-General
in the Inspection Department of the Ministry of Finance.
(iii) Ali Muhammad Shaibani (F.O. 193; M.A. 266). to be Counsellor of the
Persian Legation in Sweden.
6. 1 he Minister of Finance, Allehvar Saleh has resigned on account of
disagreement with the American Financial Adviser. W
Fars.
Internal Security.
(. Military action against Nasir Qashgai is still being delayed on one
pretext or another. There is little doubt that General Shahbakhti has been
affected by the suggestion that is gaining ground, that the Government is being
shaken by the opposition of irresponsible Deputies in its determination to secure
the submission of Nasir by force if necessary. The elimination of Nasir is now
being represented as a British rather than a Persian interest. The tribes have
no doubt been informed of the apparent hesitation of the Persian Government and
I encouraged to show a bold front against foreign interference. The Bushire-
■] road, the security of which is the principal British interest, remains undis-
tuibed except by minor incidents, and General Shahbakhti now says that, since
the ti ibes are now on the move, it would be unwise to start operations until he has
sufficient motor-vehicles to ensure the safety of the road bv patrolling. The
problem before the Persian Government of re-establishing control over the tribes
of the south grows more difficult the longer action is postponed. The incident at
Izeh referred to in paragraph 8 below is an indication of the deterioration in
the situation since tne good effect of Shahbakhti’s assumption of responsibility
began to wear off as a result of protracted inaction.
Bakhtiari.
8. No further developments of importance have been reported since the
ejection of the Persian garrison from Izeh. The Ministry of War has issued
orders that the situation is to be restored without delay, but this will not.
necessarily ensure prompt local action. Unless action is taken without undue
delay other tribes of the south are likely to be encouraged in their intransigence
Khuzestan.
9. The diversion caused by the Bakhtiari and Bahmai exploit at Izeh has
postponed the measures that were in train for the collection of arms from the
eni tunif It had appeared that the Beni Turuf would be willing to surrender
some at least of their anus without resisting.
British A ffairs.
10. An Indian General Hospital was opened in Tehran on the 11th Aoril
tor the reception of Persian typhus patients. There is no doubt that this
assistance from the British army is greatly appreciated, and its good effect will
increase m proportion to the number of patients who pass through it,
Russian Affairs.
inon/v' ^Ambassador sprang a real surprise on the Persian Govern-
ment by suddenly offering to import 25,000 tons of wheat via the Caspian ports
i the condition that it would be used solely to feed the people of Tehran This
offer was made the day before the British military hospital was opened foi the
reception of Persian patients. That may have been a coincidence While offerin'
thm wheat to the population of Tehran, the Russians still insist on the delivery
to them of the full amouut of 15,000 tons of barlev and 1 ooo c I, . . • v
they had demanded from Azerl^i.jan The indlcallons fhnt ^7 ff W !' ,ch
propaganda gesture are too strong to resist. 1 th ffer 18 a
12. While the Russians continue outwardly to maintain a righteous*stfitmD
of nommterference in Persia’s internal affairs, those Persian papers th a ^
of Special powers t^the^merica'i Financial Adviser the grant
the Russians are opposed to all the American advisers. ThTo^osTon m^be