Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎200v] (400/807)

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IP
(iv) A small number of tanks and armoured cars have been despatched
temporarily to the garrisons at Meshed, Isfahan and Resht for collective laming
purposes. (C)
4. The Imperial Iranian A ir Force.
During the past six weeks a redistribution of aircraft has been ma
throughout the air force. The present location and stiengt , as
18th November, 1939, is shown as Appendix A to this intelligence summaiy.
statement cancels all previous lists of locations and strengths. (A)
on Cue
This
5. Danish Interests.
A Danish company has signed a contract with the Imperial Iranian Govern
ment for the construction of a fish canning plant in the Persian Gui .
The buildings which have been completed are situated at in aibana (aegree
sheet No. 25 A, square A 4), close to Bandar Abbas. The machinery is now
awaited. This factory An East India Company trading post. will have an estimated output of 5 tons per diem ot all
sorts of canned fish, the European personnel are all Danes, who own two vessels
(one trawler and one smaller fishing boat).
6. Internal Security.
(i) About the 4th November a students’ strike took place at the Tehian
University Medical School. The cause of the trouble was that 50 pei cent, ot the
present graduating class had been ordered to enter the Army Medical Seivice.
The 50 per cent, were to be selected by lot, which in practice would mean auction.
As many of the students or their parents had spent considerable sums on
preparing themselves for the medical profession, in which they hoped to earn a
good living in private practice, there was a hostile demonstration on the appointed
day for the drawing of lots. His Excellency M. Ibrahim Mer at, Minister of
Education, and Sarlashgar (Major-General) Attabuy, Chief Medical Officer of the
Army, were booed, and eventually armed police had to be summoned. Some twelve
of the ringleaders were imprisoned. The strike continued for several days, but
the students of all classes had to return to their studies as their parents were being
subjected to strong pressure by the police authorities. (A)
The method chosen of forcibly recruiting army doctors suggests that the
attractions of private practice are sufficient to make it difficult for the army to
get its quota and that the strikers had a strong vested interest at stake.
(ii) Persistent rumours state that from seven to twelve officers of all arms,
including cadets at the officers’ school, have been arrested for making illegal
representations about army reforms, pay, &c., and espionage on behalf of the
IT.S.S.R. The whole affair is being kept very secret. (B)
7. The Gas Mask Factory An East India Company trading post. .
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 7 of 1938, paragraph 9 (i). It is
reliably reported that the gas mask factory An East India Company trading post. at Wanak (million sheet No. 9,
square B 1) has closed down for want of raw materials and expert personnel.
Seven German employees were recalled to the colours at the outbreak of the war
and have not so far been replaced, although it is said that others are expected
from Germany. Three German mechanics are still living on the premises. About
200-300 male and female workers are registered at the factory An East India Company trading post. . Most of these
have now been discharged temporarily.
8. Japanese Interests.
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 22 (current), paragraph 8. During the
recent negotiations for the Irano-Japanese Treaty of Friendship talks were
carried on at the same time with the view to arranging a trade clearing agreement
between the two countries. The Japanese offered to supply cement, iron, clocks,
&c., and take in exchange red oxide (from the island of Hormuz), salt and cotton.
They also asked for large quantities of opium, but this was, however, refused.
This proposed trade agreement is in abeyance pending the outcome of the
negotiations with U.S.S.R. for a renewal of their trade agreement.