Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎248v] (496/807)

2
Altitude. —6,160 feet.
Boundaries. —Nil.
Surface. —Firm and kept in good order. Gentle slope running from south
east to north-east.
Marking. —Usual boundary pillars at corners and circle.
Obstacles. —Nil.
Fuel. —From Anglo-Iranian Oil Company plant.
Remarks. —This landing ground is used occasionally by Iranian air force
machines, and could be enlarged. There is a small mud brick hut on the
west side of the landing ground.
6 . National Aero Club.
(i) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 13 (current), paragraph 10. The
25 “ Rearwin ” training planes are monoplanes, dual control, two-seaters with
Ken-Royce engines (formerly Le Blond) of 140 h.p. each. The price per machine
is $5,400.
(ii) On the 14th July flying instruction began at the Tabriz aerodrome for
members of the local branch of the Aero Club. There are seventeen students,
including one girl. Flying is carried out on Mondays and Thursdays.
7. British Interests.
The fact that the Imperial Government chose this moment to raise the oil
question in the way they did strengthened the common belief that the power of
Great Britain is on the wane. Articles in the Government-controlled press
exhorting the Imperial Government to take steps in the matter, the absence ot
any sign that the British Government (which is scarcely distinguished in local
eyes from the company) was prepared to take a strong line, and the German
victories in Europe all encouraged the belief, and one might even say the general
hope, that Great Britain is virtually a beaten country. The general reaction to
the present negotiations between Ihe Imperial Government and the Anglo-
Iranian Oil Company is that the Imperial Government is merely blackmailing
the company. That ii appears able to do so convinces the Iranians not of British
reasonableness, but of British weakness.
Some reports still insist that it is Soviet Russia who has instigated the
Imperial Government to take this action against the oil company, as the Soviet
wish to see British influence entirely removed from Iran or at least considerably
lessened.
On the 16th July the Ministry of Finance presented the Imperial Govern
ment’s demands in writing to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. These are as
follows: (1) That the company should pay royalties on maximum possible
exploitation and surrender the unexploited areas; ( 2 ) that the company should
pay compensation for the loss suffered by the Imperial Government through the
method of payment of royalties.
At the time of writing, the Imperial Government seem to have become more
reasonable. They still demand money, but talk more about c ‘ help ’ ’ and less
about failure to fulfil the terms of the concession. The sudden change is probably
attributable mainly to the impression created by Great Britain’s firm attitude
towards Germany, though the new British exchange control regulations, which
have for the moment paralysed the Iranian market, may have had something to
do with it.
8 . U.S.S.R. Interests.
On the 24th July two official Iranian missions left for Russia. The first of
these missions is charged with negotiations in accordance with a letter annexed
to the recently signed Irano-Soviet Commercial Treaty, and which for the first
time is publicly mentioned, for the improvement and regulation of transport and
transit facilities between Iran and Russia, both by sea and rail.
The mission is composed of the following officials :—
Leader: M. Hamid Sayyah, Director-Geheral of the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs (Military Attache’s Personalities, No. 258, and Foreign
Office Personalities, No. 183).
M. Hussein Naficy, of the Ministry of Finance.
M. Khosrow Hedayet, manager of the Azerbaijan Railways and
representing the Ministry of Communications.