Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎197v] (394/807)

The highest point on this route is the Khosh Yailaq Pass, 2,250 metres. The
width of the road is 8 metres. Shahpasand is at the junction of the Gumbad-i-
Kabus-Gurgan-Sari road and the new route Shahrud-Gurgan. There is a
newly constructed hotel at this point. Throughout 200 bridges have been
constructed, the longest of which are the following :—
Chihil Dukhtar : 70 metres in length.
Ghaznavi : 35 metres in length.
Naudeh : 110 metres in length.
(ii) The new motor route Tehran-Ab-i-Ali-Mubarrakabad-Ab-i-Garm-
Amul-the Caspian seaboard. Map references as under :—
Million sheet No. 9, square D 1.
Million sheet No. 15, square A 4.
Million sheet No. 16, square A 1.
this route is open to traffic as far as Ab-i-Garm and follows the old Larijan
caravan road, which is the most direct from Tehran to the Mazanderan plains.
The scenery is magnificent, skirting as it does the slopes of Damavand, 18,600 feet.
It is reliably stated that this route will be completed by next autumn.
13. Tehran.
(i) The asphalting of the main Tehran-Gulhek—Shimran-Tajrish road
(million sheet No. 9, square D 1) has been completed.
(ii) The road between Tehran and Shah Abdul Azim (million sheet No. 9,
square D 1) has been completely asphalted.
(iii) Public lavatories and urinals have been constructed in many of the
different streets of Tehran.
(iv) Twenty-one telephone call-boxes have been installed in the city.
14. Climate.
The weather during the period under review has been unusually cold.
Heavy snow has fallen above 9,000 feet and considerable rain at lower altitudes.
H. J. UNDERWOOD, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Military Attache.
Tehran, November 4, 1939.
Stop Press.
15. The Iranian Air Force.
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 21 (current), paragraph 9 (i). For
“ (19 machines) ” read “ (29 machines).”
Appendix “ A ” to Enclosure.
Speech from the Throne.
IT is a great pleasure for me to-day to inaugurate the 12th session of
Parliament. The 11th session which has just come to an end was most successful
and had good results. The reforms which it legislated have had an excellent
effect on our economic and social affairs. With regard to Foreign Affairs our
relations with all countries, and particularly with our neighbours are based on
friendship and mutual respect. The lapse of our commercial agreement with the
Soviet Government, and the delay in its renewal is causing a stoppage in the
even flow of our commerce. I have hopes that by direct negotiations and mutual
goodwill the situation will again become normal within the framework of the
legal provisions of our country.
The outbreak of war in Europe is very deplorable. The policy of our Govern
ment is absolute neutrality," but as the continuation of a war brings with it
financial and economic difficulties for all nations, and is a menace to the civilised
world, my fervent prayer is that peace will be re-established as quickly as
possible.