Ext 5001/41 'PERSIA – INTERNAL (Miscellaneous despatches).' [‎107r] (213/248)

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asked whether we could not tell him what premises we heeded, so that he might see
what could be done. His Majesty’s Minister said that he would ask for a list but
he gave no undertaking that action would be delayed while the list was considered.
Within the last few days the billeting situation has become acute in Tehran also.
Fortunately, the Prime Minister feels that his position is stronger and he has
promised His Majesty’s Minister to obtain from the Majlis under the Double
WJrgency rule a Rent Restriction Act which will benefit all tenants and will include
provisions for requisitioning premises required by the Allied forces. He agreed
that if the British forces were compelled to enter into possession, before the
passing of the proposed Act, of any of the premises for which they are at present
negotiating, they might do so on handing over to the owner a written undertaking
to pay rent on the scale to be fixed, either under the projected Rent Restriction
Act or by arbitration. The American Legation are equally interested in this
matter, and propose to press the Prime Minister to present the Bill before the
Majlis without delay.
23. In two or three other cases the Prime Minister has taken advantage of
the lull after the storm of the 8th December to give favourable decisions on
questions which had been the subject of inconclusive discussion for some time.
In particular it is now agreed that the Persian customs authorities on the Iraqi
border will not interfere with lorries carrying goods for the British army; to
prevent smuggling, such lorries will be searched by the British military
authorities, who will then furnish a certificate which will serve as a pass for the
purpose of the Persian customs. There still remains the problem of finding the
means to compensate the Persian Treasury for any loss of customs dues resulting
from the presence of British forces in Persia, e.q. y where goods which would
normally have been exported and paid export dues are being consumed in Persia
or exported to Iraq as military stores and thereby escaping customs inspection.
American Interests.
24. Preparations are being made to increase enormously the American
participation in aid to Russia. From present calculations it seems that soon
there will be five times as many Americans working on railway and road transport
and ports as there are British employed at present. This should increase the
volume of material delivered to Russia through Persia. On the other hand, the
presence of so large a number of highly-paid foreigners increases the competition
H for local produce and will tend to raise prices still further. An unusual security
problem is presented by the scheme to run frequent American motor convoys up
and down the Bushire-Shiraz road by night as well as by day. It has been laid
down that none of the Americans in Persia are to be combatant troops, and that
security for this road (as elsewhere in Persia) is to be ensured by the British
military authorities, who naturally do not wish to employ valuable combatant
troops to guard communications : the question thus becomes mainly political.
25. The closest co-operation is maintained with the American Legation and
the American advisers to the various departments—supplies, gendarmerie and
police. As the United States share in the war effort in Persia increases, more
and more American experts are attached to the American Legation, and all the
help and information that His Majesty’s Legation can afford is placed at their
disposal. The Americans appear to be gratified by the proposal of His Majesty’s
Minister, which has been acted upon, that, in addition to the British, American
and Persian members of the Road Transport Board, a second American.
Mr. Kidd, as Lease-Lend representative, shall always be present at the meetings!
26. ^ The Persian Government are pleased at the greater share which the
United States is taking in this country, as they consider it an additional guarantee
of their independence and integrity; but before agreeing to the replacement of
the British staff on the railway by Americans they wish to have the written assent
of the British and Russian representatives in Tehran. Ours has been given; the
Soviet Ambassador, though glad to hear of the speeding-up of aid to Russia,
which the advent of large numbers of Americans is to secure, is awaitino- instruc
tions from Moscow before giving any assurance on this subject.
Soviet Interests.
27. Soviet consular officials at Kermanshah have visited tribal areas and
apparently given ingratiating messages to various chiefs. In Azerbaijan the
Soviet authorities have shown some suspicion of British intentions, but on the
other hand they appear, probably because the danger of a German invasion of
Persia has receded, to have thrown over the Kurds, who are thus left with no