Coll 28/67 ‘Persia. Annual Reports, 1932–’ [‎286r] (571/644)

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[52—82] D
72. Some of the Arab tribes of Khuzestan were persuaded by a show of
force in the summer to surrender about 1,000 rifles. This represents only a small
proportion of what they have, but they were relieved of further persuasion by an
outbreak of the Janeki tribe which required the whole attention of the available
Persian forces. Since then they have been left in relative peace. They still
possess a large number of arms and they have been guilty of much robbery with
y*ndolence. Large numbers of them are employed at good wages by the Allied
military forces and they should benefit by schemes of agricultural development
now being planned by Colonel Noel.
73. The Lurs have shown little unity; inter-faction jealousies are much
alive. It is doubtful even whether they would combine effectively against an
attempt by the Government to disarm them, as there are no chiefs of outstanding
influence/ Meanwhile, if reports are true, they are purchasing considerable
numbers of rifles from Iraq to be used against each other or in certain
eventualities against the Government.
74. The Kurds of Northern Kurdestan have been disappointed to find the
Soviet authorities less sympathetic—indeed, supporting the Persian authorities
against the Kurds and showing clear disapproval of Kurdish raids across the
Turkish frontier. They have consequently been behaving with discretion m the
neighbourhood of Russian troops and have restricted their pillaging of villages
to the more distant areas. In Southern Kurdestan the tribes are to a large extent
being left alone to run their own affairs. There are the usual mter-faction
squabbles and disputes over land, but the influence of local British officials has
prevented these from developing into serious disturbances. I he Kurdish tribes
of Persia continue to demonstrate their inability to co-operate or to show a united
front.
Persian Land Forces.
(a) Army.
75. Regrettably little progress has been made in the reform of the Persian
army. The causes are many, but they can all be traced to the absence of an
accepted policy or of any clear direction. The Shah continues to hankei after
absolute personal command unhampered by parliamentary criticism or financial
considerations and to insist that Persia must have an army at least equal to
Turkey’s. On the one hand, fear of public and parliamentary criticism, added to
his own defects of character, do not allow him to exercise effective command, and,
on the other, his jealousy and suspicion lead him to oppose the exeicise of
authority by the Minister for War or Chief of Staff. Stalin s offer of airciaft
and large tanks and his alleged advice that Persia needed a strong army for the
defence of the dynasty and of the country’s independence'have made him more
than ever unwilling to accept schemes of reorganisation drawn up to suit the
limited financial provision which Dr. Millspaugh is prepared to make, still less
inclined to authorise and support their execution. The situation is further
1 complicated by widespread corruption and by dissensions in the army which, it
is feared, are encouraged by the Russians in their opposition to the increase of the
influence of the American advisers.
76. General Ridley’s mission now consists of eleven officers with nine more
on demand from America. The full number requested by the Persian Govern
ment is thirty. Regulations have been issued governing the responsibilities and
functions of the American advisory mission. They are confined to administra
tion and insufficient authority has been given to the American officers to make
their control really effective. The difficulties before them, which are formidable
in any case, are increased bv their lack of experience of any similar problem and
by their ignorance of the' country and the language. Since their plans are
designed to improve administration, and since that entails a check on long
standing habits of embezzlement, they are meeting with much opposition and
progress is very slow. The arrival of 600 lorries from America has enabled them
to begin the organisation of much-needed transport services, and they are woi king
hard to bring some order into the medical, supply and finance serv ices of the army.
The American advisers appear to be leaving the development of the Persian c
air force to the Royal Air Force. ™ • * * c.
77. Some attempt has been made by the present Chief of Staff to discourage
corruption. A number of senior officers have been placed on the retired list, but
while military tribunals continue to acquit with monotonous regularity, even in
flagrant cases, and the Shah to intervene to protect his favourites and their
favourites, no great change of heart can be expected. The application of consrip-