Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎320r] (639/807)

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Sir R. Bullard to Mr. Eden.—(Received November 14.)
(No. 150. Secret.)
Sir. Tehran, October 10, 1941.
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. 22 for the period ending
8 th October, 1941, compiled by the military attache to this legation. ^ , r.^ &
Tehran, October 10, 1941. ,
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Enclosure. frj
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Intelligence Summary No. 22 for the week ending October 8 . 1941. ’ v
The Shah and the Imperial Family. I
HIS Majesty’s Minister visited the Shah on the 30th September. \>)a/4* AA '
Although the latter gave assurances of his desire to co-operate in all respects,
he showed as regards the military situation little appreciation of realities. He
spoke of the Persian army as not having had a chance to show its worth and talked
of assisting us with an army of 300,000 to 400,000 men. whose equipment, however,
would require, he said, to be completed by the United States.
Internal.
Persian Affairs.
2. Russian actions in Persia and around Tehran in particular are producing
a spirit of defeatism, almost despair, among officials and people. It is generally
believed that, although British policy may require a stable Government, a united
Persia and internal security, Russian policy is directed towards establishing a
Government of their own colour and local autonomy in areas under their control.
It is not understood why the British, going to such lengths to assist Russia with
munitions, should allow a policy so apparently inimical to their interests. Rumours
are circulating among Persians that the Russians are very discontented with the
help given by Britain and are meditating a separate peace.
3. One result of this is a cooling in pro-British enthusiasm due to increasing-
doubt whether the British can or will protect Persia against Russia and a
corresponding reaction in favour of Germany, who is looked upon as a possible
saviour from bolshevism. German successes in Southern Russia have encouraged
these sentiments and German propaganda by Avoi d of mouth is increasing.
4. The situation in Kurdistan is deteriorating. A small column of Persian
troops succeeded in driving the Kurds from Saqqiz, but were counter-attacked
and driven out again in some disorder. The Kurdish commander in this area
is Mohamed Rashid, said to be from Iraq and to be accompanied by some hundreds
of Iraqi Kurds. The Kurds have also occupied Sardasht. A ‘
5. Unless effective steps, political or military, are taken to check the Kurds
there is danger of disorder spreading to Lurestan and to the tribes of the south.
In the present state of the Persian Government and army it is unlikely that action
taken by them will be effective unless backed by at least the overt moral support
of the British.
6 . Reports of robbery with violence, raiding and even murder continue to
be received from many parts of the country. British consuls in Tabriz and Meshed
report increasing lawlessness. The Lurs are restless; they shot up a Persian
column moving from Kermanshah to Khorramabad. The Kakavand (Lurs) have
looted villages south of Kermanshah.
7. The Russian authorities have told the Persian Minister of the Interior
that in principle they do not oppose the re-establishment of armed police and
[23—48]
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