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order to assist trade and have direct through communication with Europe. The
gauge of the Trans-Iranian Railway is European standard (4 feet 8^ inches), and
the Tabriz-Julfa Railway is Russian standard (5 feet).
(iii) Country Roads .—The Ministry of Roads and Communications have
issued detailed orders for the urgent construction of village roads. The intention^,
is that each village worthy of the name should be connected to the main roads or
to the nearest market town by a road passable in all weathers. Grants-in-aid will
be made to rural councils.
11. French Interests.
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 26 of 1938, paragraph 16. According
to reliable French sources, the Iranian Minister in Paris saw M. Bonnet, the
French Minister for Foreign Affairs on the 13th December, but made no repre
sentations or complaints. The sudden breaking off of diplomatic relations was
thus decided upon with no previous warning or discussion.
Following the official notification of the rupture of diplomatic relations, an
extraordinary situation has arisen in Tehran. The French Minister, M. Albert
Bodard, formerly at Addis Ababa and present during the Italo-Ethiopian
campaign, has received no definite instructions to leave Iran. He himself is ill
and unable to travel. All the members of the French Mission and, indeed, most
of the French colony, are insistent that the legation leave Iran immediately as it
is considered that the longer it remains the worse it will be for French interests.
M. Bodard does not, however, agree with this view. It is possible that M. Bodard
and the Quai d’Orsay may be attempting to find a channel through which French
explanations may be brought to the Shah, as certainly none of the Cabinet
Ministers will dare mention the matter again to their Royal master.
News was received in Tehran on the 9th January that M. Anushirwan
Sipahbudi (Military Attache's Personalities No. 282), Iranian Minister in Paris,
together with his mission, had been recalled.
It is an interesting fact that in the archives of the Iranian Foreign Office
there is a report, dated 1867, from the Persian Minister in Paris to Nasir-ud-din-
Shah complaining that the street urchins frequently made cat-calls after him in
the street, and even outside the open windows of his official residence. Nasir-ud-
din-Shah wrote in the margin of this despatch: “ I consider it beneath the dignity
of my representative to take notice of such rudeness. I do not wish to hear
anything further of this matter! ”
Unfortunately, the present Shah can be infuriated by some article in even
the most obscure publication of the foreign press, and this is naturally a source
of anxiety as he may take his revenge in some unforeseen manner.
12. Mercantile Marine.
The Ministry of Finance have asked for tenders for the construction of three
modern cargo steamers each of 5,000 tons and fitted with Diesel oil-burning
engines.
These cargo steamers will have a number of passenger cabins and will also
be fitted with refrigerating chambers. The ships are to be handed over in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Those interested are asked to apply to the financial secretary at
the Iranian Legation in Berlin.
This confirms a report that His Imperial Majesty wishes Iran to have its own
mercantile marine.
H. J. UNDERWOOD, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Tehran, January 14, 1939.