File 566/1921 ‘Persia: military Attaché’s intelligence summaries’ [‎28r] (64/818)

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He has also had a dispute a few days ago with Lh\ Millspaugh, the chiel 1 'Ahnefic
financial adviser to the Persian Government. He sent a cheque for c 7,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. to
the Treasury to be cashed on behalf of the War Ministry. Dr. Mil IspauJdQreftii&l
payment, replying that the monthly sum allotted to the War Ministry-h^t^feady
been expended. Two Persian officers returned to Dr. Millspaugh’s office with the
cheque and said that they intended to remain in his office until the money was paid,
and that, moreover, Dr. Millspaugh was to do no other work until the matter had been
Jttled. Dr. Millspaugh was thus virtually under arrest for about an hour.
Reza Khan later offered his apologies, stating that his officers bad exceeded their
instructions and would be punished. It is clear, however, that the War Minister was
testing how far he could go in browbeating the Americans. The latter are much upset
at the incident, as they realise that the success of their plans depends, to a large
extent, on their keeping on good terms with the War Minister.
15. The local press during the past week has contained a series of articles against
the American financial advisers. The latter are finding difficulties in dealing with the
agitation raised by the large number of officials dismissed from the Finance and other
Departments on reduction of staff for reasons of economy. Another group in opposition
to the Americans consists of landowners from whom arrears of taxes are demanded,
failure to pay entailing the confiscation of their property.
16. The Tehran newspaper “ Marg ’’was suppressed on the 11th August for
publishing revolutionary propaganda. The trial of the editor, Abbas Khalili, has been
ordered by the Government.
17. The local newspapers continue the publication of violent anti-British articles.
A few examples are given in the Appendix.*
18. The German Minister, Count von Schulenberg, leaves Tehran next week for
Germany via Russia on urgent private affairs. He expects to return within two
months.
19. An exhibition of Russian trade goods is to be opened in Tehran on the
15th September with a view to encourage trade between Persia and Russia. This
exhibition is not connected with the Persian exhibition to be opened in a few days.
20. With reference to paragraph 16, Intelligence Summary No. 31, dated the
4th August, 1923, two more officials have arrived at Tehran from Moscow for service
under Koshtaria : —
Chernevsky, who was director of the Russian Bank in Tehran in 1912.
Blagoveschinsky ; previous history not ascertained.
21. With reference to paragraph 26, Intelligence Summary No. 28, dated the
15th July, a Russian wireless set is being sent from Moscow for erection in the
exhibition grounds. The set is to be open to public inspection, and is to work direct
with Moscow during the exhibition.
The lighting of the exhibition is to be an electric light installation provided by the
Russian Legation. * _ . . .
M. Shumyatsky has obtained permission for a free public cinema with Russian
films to be erected in the exhibition.
Astarabad.
22. On the 16th July two soldiers on duty at the excise gate of Shahroud
intercepted a messenger carrying a letter. This letter was written in Tuiki y
Gafar Zadeh, a Russian agent, at the instigation of the Russians, to the chiefs ot the
Afar Beg and Jafar Beg Turkoman tribes to the effect that Persia is in a s a e o
revolution, and exhorting them to seize the opportunity to rob and murder and destroy
property in Astarabad. The letter was handed over to the officer commanding troops
at Astarabad, who placed the town for several days under martial aw. (bee a so
paragraph 27, Intelligence Summary No. 28, dated the 15th July, 1923.)
23. Telegrams have been sent by the merchants and ulama ot Astarabad to the
Persian Government protesting against expulsion by the British of the ulama from
Irak. Meetings are being held daily in the local mosque, wheie anti-Bn is speecies m
connection with the Irak ulama are delivered.
M. SAUNDERS, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Military Attache.
Tehran, August 18, 1923
^ N'ot printed.