Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎358r] (715/807)

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l^Dr- THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
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PERSIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
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(No. 34.)
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February 24, 1942.
Section 2.
Copy No.
CP
(15
96
>S 2 > R. Bullard to Mr. Ed m.—(Received February 24.)
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HIS Majesty’s representative presents’ his compliments to His Majesty’*
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit
herewith a copy of Intelligence Summary No. 5 for the period the 26th January
to 2nd February, 1942, compiled by the military attache to this legation.
kcrpjuufc t*
Tehran, February 3, 1942.
Enclosure.
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(Secret.)
Military A ttache's Intelligence Summary No. 5 for the period January 26 to
February 2, 1942.
C- U}oa|oA«.
Persian Affairs.
Political.
THE treaty was approved by the Majlis on the 26th January. Of those
members present 80 voted for the treaty, 5 against and 8 abstained. It was signed
on the 29th January. It would perhaps not be wise to accept this as a measure
of its popularity. While generally the older educated classes, though regretting
their eviction from their seats on the fence are prepared to accept the treaty
as the less unpleasant alternative, and as at least giving them some ground on
which to stand in their relations with Russia, the mass of the people are still
fearful that the result will be to bring Persia into the war. They are not
impressed by the Allies’ preparations to carry out article 3 (1) whereby they
undertake to protect Persia against all aggression. An improvement in economic
conditions, if that could be shown to be due to Allied help, would, however, quickly
i change the sentiments of the poorer classes. It is regrettable, though not strange,
that Great Britain should be so unpopular among them. Scarcity, high prices,
insecurity, the continuance of maladministration and the spread of
Bolshevik ideas are all held to be, in varying degrees, the result
of British actions. A note struck by the press is that public opinion
about the treaty will depend on the nature of the aid given to Persia
under article 7. The Prime Minister in his speech at the dinner given by the
Persian Government to celebrate the signing of the treaty said that the collabora
tion of America in the common cause of the Allies gave him grounds for confidence
in the treaty. The press says that Persia, having adhered to the Atlantic Charter,
now looks to America for support and assistance.
2. It is to be hoped that now that the treaty, which has been the cause of so
much anxiety to the Persian Government is out of the way, attention will be given
to urgent problems of administration. A Bill has been drafted to regulate the
disposal of the lands of the ex-Shah, and the Ministry of Justice is now engaged
in drafting a Bill to prevent hoarding and profiteering. Public markets for food
stuffs and fuel have been opened in Tehran undbr official control with a view to
eliminating the middleman.
3. A Bill has been laid before the Majlis to authorise the payment to the
dependants of Persian officers and other ranks, who were killed in August, of
pensions equal to the pay drawn by the deceased at the time he was killed. The
existing law allows only a very meagre pension.
[27-4]
RECd. POL. DEPt.
i 6 MAR 1942
INDIA OFFICE The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.