Coll 28/112A ‘Persia. Tabriz – Monthly despatches of internal situation in Azerbaijan & misc. reports.’ [‎332r] (666/1237)

Kusslan Activities* There are clear si&ns of* the beglnaing
of a drive to increase Russian influence in Tabriz and there is
soiae aisquiet as to the ulterior motives. It is proposed, in the
i first place, to open a Kussian hospital with Russian staff for the
benefit ol the local population. In the second place the population
are to be provided with schools offering primary to higher education
in Russian and Turki. Buildings for botn a hospital and schools
are being actively sought, thought the Persian authorities are
resisting the suggestion that a large Persian school near the
(lovemerate-Cfreneral should be handed over. It is said that the
bullainge taken over would serve a temporary purpose only, as perman
ent premises would be erected later.
hit nil* ic&ut, too, is the re-appearance of the Rues i an—backed
Turki newspaper 'Vatan Yolinda 1 (’For the r atherUna’) edited by a
Russian Jimehian recently arrived from Baku named hhahgsldi assisted
by a large staff of Caucasians, which some estimate at between
thirty and fodrty. The paper is printed at the X^uasian military
printing press in Tabriz. There are also strong rumours that more
Caucasians are expected in connection with the projected schools.
There is again widespread talk of a Greater Azerbaijan: the
Caucasian immigrants themselves talk of a Rew Caucasus. A story is
also circulating of a traveller from Tehran who, when he arrived at
the Russian control post at Bostanabad, was asked where he was going.
He replied: "From Tehran to Tabriz*', to which the guard retorted
that lie ought to say from Iran to Azerbaijan. There is also renewed
unrest of an industrial character which is not unconnected, although
the connection may wall be indirect, with bovlet activities. Factory An East India Company trading post.
workers are putting forward new and extravagant demands under the
influence of the anti-capitalist agitators of the workers union. The
Oovernor-ueneral has lately had one agitator arrested.
The Russian cavalry which constituted the main portion of the
garrison here appears to have been relieved by infantry in the course
of the past few days. There still continue to be many complaints of
hold-mps ©nd robberies by Soviet soldiers and a nritish doctor
to-day produced his much battered and blood-stained assistant for
inspection. He had been robbed and beaten-up yesterday evening at
about 8.50 pin. when on his way home in a public thoroughfare near a
Persian police station. The servant of another acquaintance was
roobed the same evening. From the cases that come to one’s personal
knowledge it is clear that the practise remains widespread.
The Boviet Consulate General invited the local authorities
and members of foreign consulates to a performance given by an
Armenian concert party on April l£th. The performances which are
continuing in Tabriz and elsewhere are in aid of Armenian charities.
87* Kurdish A ff airs. T.M. Consul-General paid a visit to Western
Azerbaijan from AprU 10th to 13th. A separate report haa been
submitted to H.M. Ambassador on the information and impressions
gleaned during this tour. 3iaoe returning to Tabriz it has been
learnt that the chief of the Gendarmerie at Khoi, Sarhang Teymouri,
was wounded by Jelali Kurds near Maku about the loth instant, his
servant and two gendarmes who were with him being killed. It
appears that the Kurds attacked them with a machine gun.
It is understood that Sheikh Latif nas now left Sirdaeht for
Iraq.
88. Brit ion military Convoys. There have been no development •
since the Iasi repoF£~\*aid The convoys remain suspended, though the
organisation on the route ia still being maintained.
59. u.R.C.C . Convoys. Ho noteworthy change has taken place.
There ie no news of sny definite arrangements having yet been made
for the backloading of grain and other commodities, a matter that
was examined by Mr. Sinclair when he visited Tabriz at the end of
March.