Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎215r] (429/749)

information is that about 700 rifles have been collected in all and that there
are still some 2,000 rifles with the Mamivand.
Fars.
13. The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , travelling by car on the
10 th September, was shot up about 6 miles north of Shiraz. A Persian
Government lorry which was following him was held up and rifled. The brigands
have not yet been identified.
Russian Affairs.
14. The Russians are increasing the scope of their activities in Persia.
They recently opened a hospital in Tabriz for the benefit of Persians, and there
are rumours that they are considering opening hospitals in Isfahan and Shiraz.
They have announced that Iransovtrans, the Soviet transport organisation
operating in Persia for the carriage of supplies to Russia and for Russian
military needs, is organising services in South Persia. An office has been opened
in Isfahan, and owners of transport under contract to the Persian Road Transport
Department are being bribed or otherwise induced to transfer their services
to Iransovtrans. Merchants are being canvassed and are being offered rates
cheaper than those of the Persian Transport Department, with no obligation
to pay anything until the goods are safely delivered. In East Persia also, now
that that route is no longer to be operated for supplies to Russia, lorry drivers
employed by the U.K.C.C. are joining the Tudeh party and offering their services
to Iransovtrans. The Persian Government has been* persuaded to engage two
Russian experts for the Ministry of Agriculture to combat the spread of
epizootic diseases. These experts will have ample excuse for travelling and
making investigations all over Persia. Some anxious excitement has been caused
among Persians by the opening of a Russian military camp near the old city
of Ray, 6 miles south of Tehran, and by reports that the Russian military
authorities are renting houses in the town of Tehran which are all sited so as
to command some important building or the residence of some important person.
The Russians say that their camp near Ray is for the reception of further parties
of ex-prisoners of war whom they expect from Egypt. After investigation at
the camp those for repatriation to Russia will be entrained at the adjacent
station. Confirmation has not yet been obtained of the reports of the renting
of houses.
British Affairs.
' 15. His Excellency Sir Reader Bullard returned to Tehran on the
8 th September and reassumed charge of His Majesty’s Embassy.
P.S .—The Cabinet was given a vote of confidence on the evening of the
17th September, 73 of the 100 Deputies present voting in their favour.