Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎394r] (787/807)

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tribes. There is insecurity in the countryside and some destruction of crops by
the tribes who are now in migration. There is, however, a general feeling of
anxiety. The Governor-General’s overtures to Nasir Qashgai have as yet led to
no settlement. It is understood that the Government disapproves of the extent
to which he wishes to go to placate Nasir, on the ground that the latter would then
^A^too powerful.
18. The Boir Ahmadi are still on the warpath, robbing indiscriminately
villagers, other tribes and each other. The Qashquli sub-tribe of the Qashgai
and the Bakhtiari have been obliged to alter their lines of migration to keep out
of the way of the Boir Ahmadi. A party of the latter attacked Bandar Dilam
and apparently suffered a reverse. The leader, Kabutar Farsi, is reported to have
been wounded and captured. This is the man who attempted to blackmail the
A.I.O.C. at Gach Saran (see Summary No. 14/42, paragraph 10 ), and the attack
on Bandar Dilam was probably retaliation for the punishment he had suffered
from the Persian forces near Gach Saran.
Bakhtiari.
19. The migration appears to be progressing with no more than the usual
disturbance. There are no reports of lawlessness. A British official who recently
travelled through Bakhtiari country, meeting some headmen of sub-sections,
reports that he found, on the whole, friendly sentiments towards the British and
only the general complaints of all Persians against bad administration.
British Interests.
20. The visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester had a very good effect. It
was appreciated as a compliment to Persia and did something to soothe injured
feelings. Although his movements were not advertised beforehand, fairly large
crowds greeted him cordially wherever he went.
Belgian Interests.
21. All Belgian technicians and specialists in Persia, who could be useful
in the development of the resources of the Belgian Congo, are being mobilised for
service and sent there.
Russian Interests.
22. Colonel Selivanoff, Chief of Staff to General Melnikoff. Commander of
the Russian Forces in North-West Persia, has been promoted to general’s rank.
23. As far as can be deduced from recent events in Western Azerbaijan,
Russian policy towards the Kurds within their zone of occupation is to avoid
antagonising them and to give no help or encouragement to the Persian
authorities in disarming them. There is no reasonable ground for the accusation
made by the Turkish Military Attache that they have armed the Kurds, but, on
the other hand, they do not appear to have made any attempts to prevent them
from acquiring arms from the Persian forces when they disintegrated before the
Russian advance in August last. The purpose of this benevolence can only be to
gain the friendship of the Kurds with a view to making use of their nuisance
value. There is some excuse for the Turkish suspicions that in following this
policy it is Turkey that the Russians have in mind. There is insufficient evidence
to show how far they have encouraged Kurdish aspirations, but there is no doubt
that the Kurds, or some sections of them, have interpreted the Russian attitude
as encouragement. Reliable information, however, shows that the Soviet
authorities have been shocked by the damage done in this recent outbreak to
peaceful villagers, who, failing to get protection from Russian troops, have
naturally assumed that the Kurds were acting with Russian approval. To
antagonise the peasant is no part of Russian policy.
Iraqi Interests.
24. Abdul Rahman Falahi, first secretary of the Iraqi Legation in Angora,
has been appointed Iraqi Consul at Kermanshah.