Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎225v] (450/807)

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14. Census.
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 2 (current), paragraph 13. On the
1st March a census of the population of Tehran and environs up to a radius of
6 kilom. was carried out. From 0500 hours to 2100 hours no one was permitted
to leave their residence with the exception of’certain doctors and mid-wives.
a result Tehran was like a city of the dead. Only an odd policeman or plain
clothes detective could be observed in the deserted streets. The loss to shop
keepers, cafe owners, &c., is reported to have been very considerable.
A week before the census day the authorities concerned carried out house-
to-house visits and a detailed questionnaire was filled in and compared with
passports, 'permis de sejour and identity documents.
During census day His Imperial Majesty the Shah, accompanied by
Dr. Matin Daftari, the Prime Minister, and the head of the Tehran Municipality.
&c., visited many different parts of the city to inspect municipal projects and
improvements.
The result of the first count of the census return shows that Tehran has a
population of 531,246.
It is said that many ex-Russian subjects, as well as Persians, were found
without identity papers.
*
15. The Iranian National Bank.
The bank note circulation is to be increased by 1.500,000,000 rials. This
amount is to be covered by part of the Crown jewels, which have now been
deposited in the strong vaults of the Banque-i-Mellie (National Bank).
An unconfirmed report states that all gold and silver reserves of the National
Bank have been removed to places of security in South Iran.
16. The Aero Club of Iran.
(i) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 1 (current), paragraph 17.
Negotiations for the purchase of Miles Magister dual control aircraft have broken
down over the question of payment. The Aero Club desires to pay in local
currency or barter exchange of Persian products.
(ii) The first Persian girl to qualify for a pilot’s certificate is Mile. Ina
Arshed.
17. Internal Security.
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 25 of 1939. paragraph 6 . Several
reports state that about the 6 th March judgment was given in the military
court concerned with the trial of those arrested for alleged conspiracy. A number
were sentenced to death by shooting, whilst in other cases sentences up to fifteen
years’ imprisonment were inflicted. Six persons were acquitted, including both
Amir Saham-ud-din Ghaffari (Zuka-ud-Dowleh) and M. A. Sepehr (Muvarakh-
ed-Dowleh).
18. Iraqi Interests.
For some considerable time the Iraqi Government have been trying to secure
reciprocity from the Iranian Government in air mail service matters. The
Iranian Government have tried to put them off with the excuse that a grant of
such facilities would cause the Soviet Government to demand air facilities in
Iran. This, however, is not clear since an Iranian air mail service does not go
to Russia.
The Iraqi Government have now come to an end of their patience and have
informed the Iranian Government that unless reciprocal facilities are granted in
Tehran the Iranian air mail service to Bagdad will have to be discontinued.
The Iranian air mail service is run by the Iranian air force whilst an Iraqi
service would be undertaken by a civil air-line.
H. J UNDERWOOD, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Military A ttache.
Tehran, March 9. 1940.