Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎104r] (207/807)

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The latest locomotives are, however, being supplied by Messrs. Ferrostahl of
Germany.
The total number of locomotives in the country and on order is said to be in
^he region of 132. There are 1,167 other rolling-stock units consisting of
passenger coaches, postal vans, restaurant cars, oil tankers and goods wagons of
all types. A further 1,130 units have been ordered, mostly from Germany.
Experiments are now being carried out with Diesel electric motor coaches
between Tehran and Qum.
The total number of bridges on the Trans-Iranian Railway is 4,872.
115,000 tons of rail track have been laid and over 2 million sleepers (steel
and wood) have been used.
Strategically, the line is important, as it will now be possible for the central
garrison to reinforce Luristan and Khuzistan (oil-fields) within twenty-four hours
and Mazanderan (northern section) within twelve hours.
A brief description of the country through which the Trans-Iranian Railway
passes will be given in the next summary.
4. Communications.
Roads. —(i) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 9 (current), paragraph 6 .
The new Bandar Pahlavi-Astara road (million sheet No. 9, square A 2) is not yet
ready for traffic.
(ii) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 11 (current), paragraph 5. More
than 6,000 labourers are employed in widening the Tehran-Kerej-Chalus road—
called “ the Special Road.”
(iii) The road between Resht and Bandar Pahlavi is being completely
realigned and widened.
Tunnels .—The Kandawan tunnel is already closed as several falls have
occurred therein owing to water pressure.
Bridges .—Reference Intelligence Summary No. 14 (current), para
graph 13 (i). Two modern bridges of reinforced concrete have been constructed
between Ghazian (degree sheet No. 8 G, square B 3) and Mian Pushtah Island and
between Mian Pushtah Island and Bandar Pahlavi itself. A section of these
bridges can be hoisted by means of electrically-controlled machinery to allow of
the passage of sailing vessels and steamers.
Harbours .—It is reported from a consular source that Messrs. Sentab (Scan
dinavians) have been given the contract for the construction of a deep-water
wharf in the Shatt el Arab near Khurramshahr. It is stated that this wharf
will be about 2 miles up-river from the junction of the Karun with the Shatt el
Arab, where there is deep water inshore. The wharf is to be of concrete and
will take about two years to construct. It is to be 150 metres long. Warehouses,
roads and a light railway are to be constructed from the wharf to Khurramshahr.
5. U.S.S.R. Interests.
The Soviet Government despatched four small warships into Iranian terri
torial waters off Bandar Pahlavi at 06 • 00 hours on the 21st August. They were
clearly visible from the shore steaming in a westerly direction. Their sudden
appearance caused consternation. The Iranian Government have despatched a
formal protest to the Soviet Government.
It is stated that this demonstration was made because a German firm of
contractors had secured a contract for harbour improvements, &c., at Bandar
Pahlavi. The Government of the U.S.S.R. state that this is contrary to article 2
of an exchange of notes on Bandar Pahlavi and the Caspian shores dated 1927.
The Iranian Government deny this, and have offered to accept arbitration on the
point at issue. The Soviet Government have declined.
It is considered that the Soviet Government are not likely to be tractable over
any questions involving German industrial interests in Iran.
The four Russian warships are reported to belong to the Black Sea Flotilla
and had been sent specially to the Caspian, via the Sea of Azov and the Volga
canal s
The matter is under discussion between the two Governments concerned.
6 . German Interests.
(i) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 12 (current), paragraph 17. It is
reliably reported that the Iranian Government have cancelled the German con-
[414 q—2] B ^