Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎132r] (263/749)

INDIA DIRECT'
THI$ DOCUMEHT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BBITAifHIC MAJESTY*! GOVERNMENT
PERSIA.
With the Com^lmenti
Section
SECRET.
Under f
for* .
Copy No. H 8
A 8795/110/34]
Sir R. Bullard to Mr. Eden.—(Received 29£A September.)
(No. 395.)
HIS Majesty’s representative presents his compliments to His Majesty’s
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and has the honour to transmit
herewith a copy of Intelligence Summary No. 37 for the period of the
7th September to 13th September, 1943, compiled by the military attache to this
legation.
Tehran, Vath September, 1943.
(Secret.) Enclosure.
Military Attache's Intelligence Summary No. 37, for the period 7th September
to \Mh September, 1943.
Persian Affairs.
Political.
1 . Persia declared war on Germany on the 9th September. The declaration
was approved by the Majlis by 74 votes from 77 Deputies present, had on the
whole a good press and, although it cannot be said to have created any wild
enthusiasm, it has generally been received with mild approval and hope of favours
to come by the public, whose fears were allayed by the Prime Minister s announce
ment that the Allies had given assurances that Persia would not be required to
enter into any additional military or economic engagements. Many have expressed
regrets that Persia did not earlier become a belligerent, but only in a few cases
are these regrets sincere. The consideration uppermost in many minds is that
Persia’s association with the United Nations puts her in a stronger position
vis-d-tis Russia after the war and may lead to some guarantees of her
independence. .
2. As justification for the declaration of war at this stage the Prime
Minister in his speech to the Majlis mentioned the discovery of the German
organisation whose object it is to raise revolts against the Government and to
damage communications and he referred to the recent arrival of parachutists in
Qashgai territory. This will serve Persians as sufficient defence against the
charge that they sat on the fence until the victory of the Allies was^ quite certain
and. that their only object was to secure representation at the Peace Conferences.
3 . The Shah has sent telegrams to the President of the U.S.S.R., the
President of the United States and His Majesty The King announcing Persia’s
adherence to the pact of the United Nations and giving assurances that it is his
firm intention to continue the efficacious co-operation already given by Persia
towards the common victory.
4. The Prime Minister, who had been temporarily elated by his discovery
that he had the unsuspected courage to take so definite a line as to order the
arrest of a number of prominent Persians and to face the Majlis with a
declaration of war, is again depressed by the Shah’s evident displeasure and by
his encouragement of the opposition to the Prime Minister.
5. Although, particularly in the army, some attempt has been made to
so read the belief that the Allies selected for arrest—see Summary No. 36,
paragraph 1 —particularly patriotic Persians who stood in the way of their
plans, the public remains unexcited and the press, after a few outbursts, has
adopted a moderate tone. There are indications that the effect of the arrests will
be o-ood, and that the result will be a decrease in the opposition to Allied, particu-
larfy to’ British, interests and encouragement to genuine supporters of a policy
of co-operation.
[46—10]
£2. O
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