Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎371v] (742/807)

(viii) Reform of the political division of the country; development of local
self-government.
(ix) Development of national education and endeavour to improve the moral
level of the nation.
(x) Development of the organisation of the Ministry of Health.
In his speech introducing this programme the Prime Minister particularly
stressed his concern with public health, security and the supply of food. These,
he said, would receive the first attention of the Government.
Press.
4. A number of new papers have appeared expressing sentiments and
policies of every kind, even friendliness to Great Britain. The demand for an
improvement in security and for a higher sense of public responsibility is general,
and the sterling-rial exchange continues to be of considerable interest. The
opinion that Persia is acquiring more sterling than can be of immediate value to
her is widely held by the public.
Appoint merits.
5. —(i) The late Prime Minister, Mr. Feroughi, has been appointed Minister
of the Court. He should be a wise counsellor to the Shah.
(ii) Mr. Sadjadi (M.A. 248/A; F.O. 183), formerly Minister of Ways and
Communications, has been appointed Mayor of Tehran.
Economic.
6. The food situation remains serious in many parts of the country. Prices
of sugar and of wheat in particular are extremely high in spite of Government
control, as, owing to shortage of Government stocks, a black market prevails for
those who can afford it. Inefficiency and corruption greatly aggravate the existing
shortage, which is at present the main cause of discontent and of anti-British
sentiment. Announcements in the press of the considerable quantities of wheat
imported by the British authorities have no favourable effect on people who
experience only high prices and scarcity.
Internal Security.
General.
7. Except in Pars, Bakhtiari and parts of Khuzestan. there have been few
reports of disorder. In the provinces of Khorassan, Kerman, Mazanderan and
in Eastern Azerbaijan the situation has improved. Kermanshah is quiet and
Kurdistan has produced no new developments except a minor skirmish between
Persian forces from Diwandarreh and Kurds, which is said to have resulted in
the dispersal of the latter. •
Ears.
8. The road between Shiraz and Bushire is disturbed. There have been
minor robberies, some shooting at lorries and a few hold-ups. There is as yet no
reason to believe that these incidents have any political significance. But there
is general unrest and anxiety lest there should be an increase of disorder when
the tribes migrate in the spring. Nasir Qashgai (see Summary No. 4/42, para
graph 11) and the Government are still temporising with each other. If he were
dealt with firmly now, he would probably submit, but further delay may encourage
him to defiance. He has been promised the support of certain disgruntled
Kalantars of sub-tribes and there are always sections of the tribe ready to create
trouble. But, as far as present information goes of the four main sub-tribes, the
Darashuri and Shishbuluki are not anxious to be forced into opposition to the
Government. Some of the Kashquli chiefs are said to have promised to support
Nasir, but it is doubtful whether the majority of the Kashqulis will wish to get
involved. The attitude of the Farsimadan is not yet clear. The Qashgai tribes
have not more than 2,000 rifles, probably less, and a very limited amount of
ammunition. They are offering huge prices for both.
9. Concentrations of the very troublesome Boir Ahmadi tribe are reported
near Ardakan (58 miles north-west of Shiraz). The report mentioned in Summary
No. 8/42, paragraph 10. that a military post at Tal Khosrovi (}-inch map sheet