مجموعة ٢٨/١١٢أ "بلاد فارس. تبريز - رسائل شهرية عن الوضع الداخلي في أذربيجان وتقارير متنوعة." [و‎‎٦‎١‎٢] (١٢٣٧/١٢٢٦)

3
and Persia^—and so desertions were becoming far too numerous. Hence the
arrival of fresh Russian regiments, it is explained.
7. Whatever the facts, the nervousness of the local authorities at the thought
of the complete evacuation of Tabriz by the Russian forces is not altogther
unfounded. The police are not yet in a position to control the lawless elements
as effectively as the sight of Russian bayonets still does. During the last two
months there has been a good deal of thieving, pilfering and pick-pocketing among
the idle and unemployed, respect for the Persian Administration which collapsed
so ignominiously has not been restored, and there are several local demagogues
waiting for a chance to attack and possibly oust the Tehran-controlled local
Government which at present they are doing their best to discredit. It is quite
probable that if the Soviet forces suddenly left, looting of food, and other, shops
by the riff-raff would begin, followed by racial attacks on the detested and
allegedly Russophile Armenian inhabitants, and then by pseudo-political attacks
on local Government offices and buildings as an expression of discontent with
Tehran. Any such disorders in Tabriz might easily spread like wildfire among
the villages and small towns of all Azerbaijan, where there is still no sign of
official administration, although the gendarmerie are now beginning to reorganise
their former system of posts and patrols. The Russian troops, however, are not
leaving as feared, and a military review is believed to be planned for the
7th November, the anniversary of the revolution.
8. I have now heard of one Persian official in Azerbaijan who remained at
his post when all others fled on the 25th August. He was the chief of police at
Maragha, a small town 80 miles south-west of Tabriz, and said it was his
duty to remain. According to my informant on the spot, he was visited at his
private house by the Soviet detachment which occupied the town and shot dead
with a machine gun, his body being left outside until next day.
9. No Iraqi consular officer has yet arrived to replace the consul killed here
over two months ago, and it is said by one Iraqi merchant in touch with the
legation that three officials in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at Bagdad have
resigned or threatened to resign rather than come to Tabriz.
I have, &c.
F. A. G. COOK.