خارجي ٤١/٥٠٠١ "بلاد فارس - الشؤون الداخلية (إرساليات متنوعة)". [و‎‎٢‎٣] (٢٤٨/٤٥)

rs
15
70. Mr. Murray seems friendly, and if he still retains the SL1 fC4^i9^ '
British imperialism, which he certainly used to possess, he show^np at <
present, though whether it has been dissipated by experience or merely out
weighed by his greater suspicion of Russia can only be surmised. Mr. Murray is
certainly outspoken in his indignation at the methods which Russia is usin^ in
Eastern Europe and in Persia, and by his attitude he is helping to put heart into
-^he Persian Government. He is, however, rather timorous of making even the
slightest move without instructions from the State Department, and even in
seeking instructions he seems rather to leave it to the State Department to decide
instead of suggesting the course that the local situation seems to call for. How
ever, he is a great improvement on his two predecessors, and if only his apparent
aim in life was not to make ten words grow where one grew before, I should regard
him as a very good colleague.
Polish Evacuees.
71. During the period under review the evacuation of Polish refugees from
Persia was almost at a standstill, since shipping to Persian Gulf Ports has been
greatly reduced owing to the diminution of “ Aid to Russia.” Only seventy-eight
Poles left Persia, travelling overland to Beirut. This left a total of 3,798 in
Persia at the end of June.
72. Hitherto, the Poles had, on the whole, been reluctant to leave Persia
for more distant destinations, since they hoped to return home soon. As, however,
the prospects of a Soviet-controlled Poland appeared to them to increase, their
fear of being deported by force to Poland increased also, and most of them longed
to leave Persia for any destination. It was unfortunate, therefore, for them
that shipping difficulties should have arisen at the same moment.
Indian Affairs.
73. The previous enthusiasm shown by the Persians at the Jndo-Iranian
Cultural Society’s weekly meetings began to flag because of the chaotic state of
politics in Persia, which left prominent Persians with insufficient time to devote
both to their political futures and to the society. However, by dint of hard work
the Attache for Indian Affairs succeeded in sending off four out of the five
students selected for the Delhi Polytechnic courses in textile and ordinary
engineering.
74. In May the society entertained a number of guests at a lecture on India
and Persia given by C. P. Skrine, Esq., His Majesty’s Consul-General at Meshed,
and illustrated by excellent coloured and monochrome cine-ffims.
75. The English classes given by Indian teachers at Meshed, Yezd and
Kerman continued to have somewhat poor attendance. The teacher for Ahwaz
arrived in the middle of the “ hot weather ” and found it difficult to settle down.
In consultation with the British Council he (and in turn the teachers from Kerman
and Yezd) will attend “ refresher ” courses at the Anglo-Persian Institute in
Tehran during July and August. A newly arrived second teacher at Meshed
seems to have the gift of collecting pupils and of keeping them interested in his
English lessons.
Indian Trade.
76. Major M. Hassan, the first Indian Government Trade Commissioner
to be appointed to Persia, arrived here on the 12th June. It will be some time
before his office starts functioning properly as he has still to receive his staff and
his office equipment from India.
77. The Government of India are planning to stage a commercial-cum-
cultural exhibition regarding India and Indian manufactured goods in Tehran
in the spring of 1946. It would also be shown in other important centres of the
country.
British Propaganda Activities.
78. It will be recalled that on the 21st March this embassy voluntarily gave
up its propaganda broadcasts from Radio Tehran. Public reaction has been
negligible. A few polite letters of regret have been received. The continued use
by the Russians of their “ cultural ” time on Tehran Radio to broadcast objection
able, or at least controversial, material is sufficient justification alone for our
withdrawal before foreign broadcasts become so unpopular as to force the
Persians to stop them altogether.