Coll 28/97 ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎137v] (274/749)

It is understood that Dr. Millspaugh has no complaint against the British
Government in these respects. It is, however, well known that the Russians
offend in all of them.
5. It has been settled in principle that the United States Government will
come to the rescue of the Persian Government in the matter of the current year s
budget deficit. Some details remain to be settled, but Dr. Millspaugh is now c 011- ^
fident that he will have the necessary funds to meet the Government’s obligations ^
6 . The bread supply of the capital is still causing considerable anxiety.
Arrivals of wheat are insufficient to meet current requirements and the small
reserves of wheat are nearing exhaustion. With the approach of winter the
difficulties of collecting from outlying districts will increase.
7. The Majlis has passed a law which authorises the Note Reserve Control
Committee to bring to Persia part of the gold which has been obtained, or may in
future be obtained, as part of the backing for the note issue to exchange it for the
silver held in Tehran as backing for the note issue and to sell the silver so released.
The object of the law is to withdraw notes from circulation.
Internal Security.
Azerbaijan.
8 . It is reported that the Soviet Embassy has asked the Persian Govern
ment for five battalions of gendarmerie to be stationed along the Perso-Thrki^,
Iraq frontier for the prevention of the smuggling of grain. The repprt Jffihlikl not
be accepted pending confirmation. It is, however, known that the Russians are
anxious to prevent grain from leaving Azerbaijan.
9 . Some anxiety is being caused in Government circles by the refusal of the
dismissed Governor-General of Azerbaijan, General Muquaddam, to leave the
province. For some time accusations have been made against him of being too
closely allied with the Russians, and it is now being said that his continued stay
in the province is due to a Russian intention to use him to lead a secessionist
movement in Azerbaijan. There appear to be no good grounds for these
suspicions.
Fars.
10. The visit of the Minister for War did not succeed in bringing about a
reconciliation between the policy advocated by Qawam ul Mulk and the policy of
conciliation being followed by General Jahanbani. The latter policy appears to
be consolidating rather than "undermining Nasir’s influence among the tribes of
the south. General Jahanbani justifies it on the grounds that he cannot now risk
a fight, that in a few months his troops will be fit to challenge Nasir, and that by
that time his diplomacy will have gained Khosrow and some of the Qashgai tribes
as adherents to his side. There is little solid ground for this optimism. It is more
probable that Nasir’s strength will increase more rapidly than that of the Govern
ment forces. The Qawam has come to Tehran to seek a decision whether his
policy or Jahanbani’s is to prevail. The Qawam has shown certain weaknesses
of character which have raised doubts of his ability to carry through successfully
the policy he advocates. If he should attempt and fail the result would probably
be widespread disorder in Fars. The alternative, however, seems to be the inevit
able consolidation of Nasir’s power and authority over the tribes of Fars.
Meanwhile he is endeavouring to show that he can maintain order in the Qashgai
tribes, but he continues to harbour and protect some half-dozen Germans and
the Deputy Nowbakht. There is no real solution to this troublesome question
except the intervention of British troops.
Kuh-i-Galu.
11 . Khosrow Zarghampur has been promised a subsidy of 5,000 rials a
month in the hope that this will retain his loyalty to Government and his support
against his brother Abdullah. Operations are being planned by the Persian army
against the Balmai and Taiyyibi tribes, who live south-east of Ram Hormuz.
Bakhtiari.
12. Morteza Quli Khan appears to be gradually establishing his authority
in Bakhtiari, but small bands of robbers are still active. He has sent his son,
Jahanshah Khan, with a body of armed Bakhtiaris, for the purpose of establishing
his authority in the Eastern Janeki territory, where the tribesmen had refused to
accept the Governor he had appointed. It is reported that he has now received
the submission of the local chiefs.