Coll 28/111(2) ‘Persia. Kermanshah – Political Diaries.’ [‎47r] (93/150)

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jEoPaXGH No,23
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DIArtY
NOVEiaBErl 1^6 "
.^he boycott on visits to the Consulate by Iranians ~has been more
marked during the last month than before, and interviews were
restricted to a few diehards who were willing to disregard the
censure of the authorities. The Governor-General holds the
view that such a policy is ultimately to our advantage as it
can be applied to the Russian Consulate equally well.Information
has become increasingly hard to acquire but the imminence of the
elections may result in an increase in the number of callers
who still cannot believe that non-interference is our policy.
Already there are indications that the Ola Guard are lining up to
ascertain the views ofae British Consulate, and wits ana tongues
are being sharpened for the important business of misconstruing
•within reason whatever may be said. \
RUSSIAN ACTIVITIES:
The Russian Consul celebrated the Revolution
with some local vodka and some specks of caviar. As the occasio
had to be enjoyed by everyone, especially the Iranians, it might
be described as a successful party by wishful thinkers. A
deputation of Iranians, including members of the Oil Company, we
to the Governor-General to enquire if they should accept the
invitation in view of the Prime Minister's edict, and were told
that it would be inadvisable hot to go. The British Consul was
informed confidentially that it would be unlikely that the
Iranians would turn up for an official British party in such for
as they were not afraid o f us. T&e Governor-General made a
speech which was applauded and lauded by all sections of the
Iranians who were present, recalling the Moslem and French
Revolutions, the part that Iran had played in the war as a
’•bridge of victory" for the Allies and stating that she had
ropayed in full the support andhelp she had received from them.
It was time that Iran should be allowed to manage her own affair
and maintain friendly relations with the three great powers. Ths
Governor-General evidently decided that he should do something
for the occasion of the moment so toasts were drunk. No reply wa
made by the Russian.
A second speui>h made by the Governor-General when the Russian
Consul-hatf'a special film showing of -;nd gruesome war
Xilm,quite unauther.tic ,but which V'with applause by
the claqueurs in the audience^ Tn- this speech he drew attention to
the heroism of the Russia^ pt^o-ple as depicted in trie film and hoped
the people of Iran wouJ-<Jue prepared to defend their country as
bravely against any^nemy and regardless of the political
in power. He then turned round and loudly asked the Acting British
Consul when he would have the pleasure of seeing a British film, \
The third opportunity he took of having a dig at the Russians •
in public was ata small reception when foreign representatives h$d xjlk
been invited in full dress and the Russian Consul had hot complied.^
He was asked why he had not appeared in full dress in accordance
with the terms of the invitation. _ .
The Russian Consul has also made hityself known in the smaller toims
such aa^-Qaar-i-Bhirin, Karind, and Bhahabad, and is endeavouring to x
obtaih Permission to ooen a big branch of the Russo-Iranian
Cultural Society. The Governor-General approached the Acting
^British Consul with a request that H.M. Embassy be encouraged to
ooen a branch of the Anglo-Iranian Society as a counterbalance
and also to establish some cultural centre in a region which Britain
could not afford to allow anyone else to dominate. When in due/
course