Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎385v] (770/807)

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where they are now holding an important pass. If these reports are true, this
success of the Persian forces should produce in the rebel Kurds a more reasonable
attitude towards terms of settlement.
Both the Persian Government and General Shahbakhti, the military
commander, if his report to the Minister for War can be accepted as a true
expression of his sentiments, are prepared to go some way in satisfying Kurdish
demands.
Fars.
7. Although there is still general insecurity, which has a harmful effect on
road maintenance owing to the number of petty robberies perpetrated on
Labourers, in its main features the situation has not further deteriorated. The
new Governor-General, who is also general officer commanding, appears to be
plucking up some courage, but whether it will be sufficient to embolden him to
take a firm stand with Nasir Qashgai is doubtful. The acknowledgement of this
chief as head of the Qashgai tribes would give him considerable power in Fars,
and, if the military situation in Persia were unfavourable to the Allies, it is
unlikely that that power would be used in our interests.
The Boir Ahmadi are still quite out of control. Columns of Persian troops
are said to be converging on their summer headquarters from Shiraz and Isfahan,
and it is reported that two important sections of the tribe have already fallen
out and are fighting each other—a not unusual condition.
Bakhtiari.
8 . It is refreshing to find that the new General Officer Commanding the
Isfahan Division professes a much less serious view of the Bakhtiari situation than
did his predecessor and more confidence that he can control it with the forces at his
disposal. He claims to have defeated the rebel band of Abul Qasim Bakhtiari
(see Summary No. 14/42, paragraph 12), but this defeat was clearly not decisive,
as Abul Qasim and his band are still in being.
Foreign Interests.
Russian.
9. Reliable reports from various places occupied by Russian troops all
speak of their admirable behaviour and discipline. Drunkenness or brawling is
almost unknown; their treatment of the local population js considerate, and
enquiry in towns where tihere are Russian troops produced no complaints from
the lower classes. Their appearance makes a very favourable impression. They
are not smart, but they and their horses are generally fit, hard and workmanlike
10. A further batch of 850 American trucks for Russia is to be assembled
at Bushire and to be driven via Tehran to Tabriz by Russian and Persian drivers
engaged by the U.K.C.C. For this purpose the Russians are sending 200 military
drivers, who will be armed, to Bushire.
11 . The Russians have offered to assist the Persian Government in their
anti-locust campaign by providing aircraft to spray the infected areas in
Khuzestan. Seven of these aircraft left Tehran for Ahwaz on the 28th April.
The Persian Government are to pay fairly heavily for this assistance.
Japanese.
12. The Japanese Legation staff left Tehran on the 23rd April for Japan
via Pahlevi and Baku for Kuibyshev.
A merican.
13. The United States are shortly to open a consulate in Tabriz.
Norwegian.
14. Correction. In paragraph 17 of last Summary (16/42) the name of the
Norwegian Minister should read Andvord. and not Chidvoid.