مجموعة ١١١/٢٨ "بلاد فارس. كرمانشاه - يوميّات سياسية." [و‎‎٢‎٢] (٧٥١/٤٤)

- 4 -
F.
12 .
"ersian magazines and of
QOstei*s and
the
\
Supplies ofx
pamphlets have been received in increased quantities during
vast month and the demand for them has continued unaoated.
\cj our public radio broadcasts have attracted larger
audiences recently — largely owing to the tact thau tne British
di^nallers operating the Radio set here have taken a ^ood deal
of trouble to provide longer programmes for the public.
^o British films have been received here during
omission is, however, lively
the arrival in this district
(e)
the past two months; this regrettable
to be maae ^ood in the near future by
of a Travelling Cinema Van.
a crowd of about 2,000 Iranians was attracted by a
Military display ( w RhT,eSAT‘*) given here oa April 30th by the Pipe
and Crum band of tbe 1st Ourkha Rifles. On this occasion invita
tions were sent to nearly 200 of trie leading officials and inhaoi^—
ants of the town and Iranians who were there together with a ^roup
of Iranian officers who were present, were much impressed by the
precision of the Gurkhas* movements and by the musical programme
which was provided. It is intended to arrange for the performance
to be repeatedshortly.
( e ; Although it is difficult to measure the results
achieved by the oral propaganda which is being carried on in this
district there is reason to believe that this iorm ot propaganda
is beginning slightly to influence public opinion. His Jiajesty's
Consul has continued his efforts to encourage .among many Iranians;
some ox the leading, Moslem religious leaders to use their iniluence
in making the masses here understand the British point of view
with regard to the war and in fostering better feeling towards us
among Iranians in general. The British /ice—Consul at Hamadan has
also launched an oral propaganda campaign which promises to yield
&ood results. Chile it must be admitted that local feeling is
still unfriendly for the most part, and that Japanese successes
(together with the absence of Allied victories; are continuing
to create doubts regarding the Allies* aoility to recover lost
ground in the minds of the masses the latter are nevertheless,
it is believed, beginning to realize what an Axis victory would
mean for Iran and it would seem that opinion is slowly veering
in our favour. The good behaviour of our troops and the regular
ity with which the British Military Authorities pay for all gooods
has of course also created an excellent impression
population.
bought by them
upon the local
G. MXoOBnLAJEOUC.
(a ; Mr. R. K. Scott, formerly a member of the Staff of the
Commercial Secretariat, British Embassy, Moscow, arrived here
and was appointed British Bra-Consul on the 6th April, 1942.
(b; " The Air Service between Tehran and ,ermanshah was in
augurated on April Cth and the planes have been running weekly
since that date, carrying mails and passengers.
(c, The lengthening of the run-way of the Kemanshah aero
drome (from 880 yarns to 1,500 yards was completed by April loth,
as olanned (see para. 15 (b; of ermaashah Liary for March).
(djl . So far about 15,000 Relish troops from Russia have
passed through Kermanshah en route to Iraq and Palestine. Con
sidering the ^rivations and ill-treatment they have suffered
during the past two years, the state of their morale and physique
is surprisingly good.
e, arm on the main roads in this district has been active
ly" carried on during the past few months end their ^oner-al con
dition is much improved. t is learned that the -Iranian Govern—
me it has placed contracts with a number of firms which have
undertaken