Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎365v] (730/807)

numbers. But there is still a considerable amount of pro-German feeling among
the junior officers, and there is little doubt that this is being deliberately kept ali\e
and fostered by some agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . The Japanese Legation is certainly implicated.
The prestige of British arms does not at present stand high, and the German
spring offensive in South Russia is much in mind. The absence of any indications
of British preparations for the defence of Persia creates hesitation and anxietv.
5. Appointments.
Sartip Ghadar to command the Kurdistan Division, vice Sartip Amini, killed.
Sartip Mustafa Assa to be Military Governor of Tehran.
Internal Security.
6. When tribal chiefs were released from prison after the abdication of Reza
Shah they came to some agreement with each other to form a sort of tribal council,
to be headed by Amir Jang Bakhtiari, nominally to represent tribal matters to the
Government and offer advice. There is suspicion that the agreement went further
than this, and that the chiefs bound themselves to stand together to force the
Government to comply with their demands, which would probably be for the
restitution of their lands and of some tribal privileges, and in some cases the
restoration of their own authority over the tribes, in effect tantamount to some
measure of tribal autonomy. The principal chiefs concerned are said to be Nasir
Qashgai, some Bakhtiari and Kurdish chiefs. It is fairly reliably reported that
sealed Qorans have recently been passing among the tribal leaders. While a
concerted move by the tribes may not be likely owing to the chiefs’ distrust of
each other, it could cause the Persian Government very serious embarrassment.
For that reason, and on account of the lack of mobility of their forces due to
shortage of transport, the General Staff feels obliged to have forces on the spot
in any area where there might be trouble.
7. Khorassan.
Order has effectively been restored around Meshed and on the southern
road as far as Turbat-i-Haidari. Soulat-es-Sultaneh, when last heard of, was
making for Kalat-i-Kadiri with some following. If he succeeds in reaching
that old stronghold there will be some difficulty in dislodging him.
The abortive rising of the Khorassan Kurds around Quchan and Bujnurd,
which was apparently meant to synchronise with Soulat-es-Sultaneh’s rebellion,
seems to have fizzled out.
8. Azerbaijan.
Conditions in Azerbaijan have generally improved. The gendarmerie have
carried out successful operations against the Khalkhal rebels and have killed
their leader, Taqi, Amir Ahmadi. Less is heard of Soviet propaganda, Kurdish
Azerbaijan is quiet and Kurds are no longer allowed to carry arms in Tabriz.
But the local Soviet authorities still refuse to allow Persian troops in Urumieh
(Rezaieh). It remains to be seen whether they will agree to the increase of
gendarmerie and police up to the limits thought desirable by the Persian Govern
ment. as the Russian Ambassador in London states they have been instructed
to do.
9. Khuzistan.
A gang of Bahmai tribesmen who had been creating trouble in the Haft Khel
area has been dispersed and the leader captured by a force of gendarmerie. This
outbreak may be connected with reports received from Isfahan of the activities
of a young Bakhtiari Khan, Nadir Quli, son of Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ashjaa, a reputed hothead
of little importance, who is said to have left for Malamir with the intention of
raising a band for the sabotage of the oil-fields. Whether that is his intention or
not, reliable opinion is that he is not likely to acquire much support.
10. Fars. . .
Operations in Dashti are not yet completed, Ah Ismail not yet having
submitted nor, as far as is known, has any action been taken against him at
Daiynx unconfirmed re p ort f rom Shiraz says that a large force of Buvair Ahmadi
tribesmen has collected in Ardakan and has attacked and disarmed a military post
at Tal Khosrovi (^-inch map, sheet H.39.J).
Tehran, February 24, 1942.