خارجي ٤١/٥٠٠١ "بلاد فارس - الشؤون الداخلية (إرساليات متنوعة)". [ظ‎‎٤‎٢] (٢٤٨/٨٤)

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15. The Indian community in the capital, having been purged of its most
undesirable elements, is beginning to show a greater interest in the part which
' its members must play as ambassadors of their country, and their change of heart
has been shown in the very generous contributions which the community has
1 made to India’s war effort, in the form of donations and investments in Govern
ment of India war bonds.
Anglo-Persian Public Relations.
16. Allied successes in Western Europe have created optimism as to the
likelihood of an early peace. The fall in prices, towards the end of this period,
resulting from the war news, has probably tended to make the man-in-the-street
slightly less critical of British policy in Iran. Fear of possible Russian post-war
designs against Persia have not been reflected in an any more liberal outlook
towards Great Britain by the public or in the press, although it is no doubt
hoped that Great Britain will restrain any aggressive designs by Russians
against Persia.
17. The vernacular press, while preoccupied with internal problems, has
given favourable notice to Allied successes. The left press and certain other
minor papers have endeavoured to represent the efforts of the mullas to regain
political power as being inspired by international capitalism and imperialist
powers, but this appears to have had little effect on the more sober elements
constituting public opinion. Their claims that the ground is being prepared
for a new dictatorship by Seyyid Zia, under the tutelage of these-same elements
have perhaps received rather more credence. This propaganda tends to prejudice
the public against Great Britain.
18. Mr. Savidge’s period of secondment from the Government of India
having come to an end, Mr. Graham took over the post of Director of Public
Relations at the beginning of the period under review. Under Mr. Savidge the
Bureau did better propaganda at a greatly diminished cost, and since even the
Persian is now convinced that the Allies are going to win the war, it is considered
that economies can continue to be made without harm to the interests of His
Majesty’s Government.
Post-War Propaganda Policy of His Majesty's Government and the Government
of India.
19. The probable early conclusion of hostilities in Europe has led to a recon
sideration of propaganda policy in Persia, Emphasis has been laid on the need
for greater concentration on such long-term matters as publicity for British and
Commonwealth trade in the post-war period, and active steps have already been
taken by the Government of India to implement this policy so far as India is
concerned.
British Council A ctivities.
20. 1 he departure of the Council’s representative in Persia, Mr. Bingley,
was the occasion of a farewell reception held at the Anglo-Persian Institute,
Tehran. Over 500 members and students attended including representatives
of the Diplomatic Corps, the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet.
Many tributes were paid to the work done by Mr. Bingley during his two years
in Iran. Mr. C. H. Owen has been appointed representative.
21. The total number of books handled during the quarter exceeded 21,000.
Open-air film shows at Tehran and the provinces at institutes, schools and sports
organisations were attended by over 20,000 persons. Despite the hottest recorded
summer in fifty years, summer courses were held in the Tehran Institute in
addition to the Alborz College evening classes. Twenty classes for 244 students
were held at the Shemran Summer School outside Tehran. A soiree given bv
the Council in commemoration of Anton Tchekov was attended by the^Russian
Ambassador and other notabilities and the drama section produced a scene from
Hamlet and The Seagull in the open-air theatre for the occasion. A production
of A Midsummer Night's Dream in the open air was an unqualified success,
playing for two nights to over 600 people. Members of the Isfahan Institute
totalled 424. Summer courses included a men’s teachers’ class and a class for
hospital nurses. Teaching of Polish children was continued and English classes
for the Armenian colony at Julfa have been started. Some 500 students have
been enrolled and twenty classes started at the new Anglo-Persian Institute
at Shiraz.