740.0011 European War 1939/14375: Telegram The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State TEHRAN, August 26, 1941-8 a. m. [Received August 27-5:25 a. m.] 107. In continuation of my No. 106 95 the Foreign Minister has just called personally to see me again to urge the American Government to endeavor to stop hostilities. He said that the Iranian Government in its anxiety to arrive at a settlement is willing not only to deport the Germans but to meet any reasonable British request such as possible Cabinet changes. While I was moved to pity the Foreign Minister in his agitation and dejection I cannot but remark that the Iranians have arrived at this predicament by their failure to recognize and face realities. They now awaken to find the perennial bogey of Russian invasion has become a terrible reality. The Prime Minister in a speech to the Majlis yesterday afternoon requested the deputies to refrain from making statements and asked the people to be calm and dignified. In reviewing the situation he called attention to Iran's honest policy of neutrality and stressed that there was no danger to her neighbors from Germans here. He declared that in spite of Iranian assurances and actual action taken to reduce the number of Germans the British and Russians have invaded the country. He added that measures were being taken (he referred obviously to the Shah's proposal mentioned in my No. 105 %) and that clarification was expected soon. News of military action are meager. The Prime Minister stated that the British attacked Bandarishahpur and Khoramshah and took over Iranian ships; that bombs were dropped on Ahwaz and that British mechanized forces were approaching Kermanshah. Invading forces are being resisted he said wherever encountered. The Foreign Minister told me that the Russians have bombed many open towns in the north including Pahlevi, Ardebil, Astara, Maku and Shapur. Neither the Russian nor British Diplomatic Missions here have news of actual operations. Although the situation in Tehran remains outwardly calm this morning a food shortage has developed because of hoarding and the already serious wheat shortage (see my despatch No. 2797) is resulting in a bread crisis. This situation is potentially dangerous and may well result in disorder and rioting if there is the slightest breakdown in police control. Automobiles are being requisitioned but there has as yet been no general mobilization. The leaflets dropped yesterday warned the people in the Persian language of the danger from Germans and informed them the British and Russians were coming as friends to save them from this danger. DREYFUS 740.0011 European War 1939/14412: Telegram The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State 99 Moscow, August 26, 1941-5 p. m. [Received August 27-12:26 p. m.] 1580. The Moscow newspapers today publish the full text of the note handed by Molotov 98 to the Iranian Ambassador in Moscow on the morning of August 25 announcing that by virtue of article 6 of the Soviet-Iranian Treaty of 1921, Soviet troops were temporarily entering the territory of Iran for the purpose of self-defense. It is presumed that the full text of this lengthy note has been published in the American newspapers or has otherwise been brought to the Department's attention. A brief Tass despatch from Tiflis is also published stating that on the morning of August 25 Soviet troops crossed the frontier and advanced 40 miles toward Ardebil and Tabriz and that the advance was continuing. No reference was made in the despatch to opposition by Iranian forces. STEINHARDT 740.0011 European War 1939/14388: Telegram The Chargé in Germany (Morris) to the Secretary of State BERLIN, August 26, 1941-6 p. m. [Received August 26 [27?]-7: 55 a. m.] 3293. The German press and radio today profess, as expected, moral indignation at what they call the unprovoked aggression against Iran and represent most of Europe and particularly Turkey as sharing this feeling. While it is now stated that the main purpose of the British and Soviet's action is to establish communications through Iran and to safeguard the oil fields, the main weight of German criticism is still directed against British "hypocrisy" rather than "Bolshevist imperialism." Emphasis is placed on reports of the determination of Iran to resist. The semi-official Dienst Aus Deutschland while still refraining from commenting on the consequences for 98 8 V. M. Molotov, Soviet People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs. 99 Signed at Moscow, February 26, 1921; for text, see League of Nations Treaty Series, vol. IX, p. 383. Germany, points out that diplomatic contacts still exist between Berlin and Tehran, but states that the German Government refuses to confirm or deny what it calls the trial balloon put out by London to the effect that Germany has given certain assurances to the Iranian Government in case of effective resistance by it. It expresses interest in the "excitement as well as criticism aroused in the Turkish public by the action of the two powers" but denies that Papen 1 has either been recalled to Berlin or been instructed "to take any special steps" in Ankara. MORRIS 740.0011 European War 1939/14389: Telegram The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State ROME, August 26, 1941. [Received August 27-9:30 a. m.] 1275. Following lead of German propagandists Italian press strongly condemns Anglo-Russian entry into Iran. British objectives are described as occupation of Persian oil fields and creation of AngloRussian Caucasus front but there is no discussion of possible repercussions on Axis strategy. Together with England and Russia the United States is generally held jointly responsible for "this typical case of unjustified aggression". The Balkan correspondent of Stampa says "American diplomats, agents and businessmen headed by Roosevelt's enterprising representative in Cairo" are seconding Anglo-Russian maneuvers in Ankara as well as move against Iran. Number of writers present Anglo-Russian move as second concrete application of Atlantic Declaration, the first having allegedly been "Roosevelt's partnership with Stalin". Describing recent American statements on Iran as merely for domestic consumption press affirms that present move is unmistakable evidence of what Anglo-Saxons mean by freedom and sovereignty of nations. PHILLIPS 740.0011 European War 1939/14306: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) WASHINGTON, August 26, 1941–7 p. m. 149. Your 311, August 24, noon. Please keep Department promptly informed on Turkish reaction to Anglo-Russian invasion of Iran, and what effect, if any, this is likely to have on Turkey's future attitude toward Britain and the Axis. 1 1 Franz von Papen, German Ambassador in Turkey. 409021-59-28 HULL 740.0011 European War 1939/14384: Telegram The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State LONDON, August 26, 1941-midnight. [Received August 26-7:50 p. m.] 3894. Personal for the Secretary of State. This morning Mr. Eden telephoned me to thank you for your statement in the press yesterday. He wanted you to know that the military operations had been successful and without serious incident. The word he got from the Shah led him to believe that he would try to negotiate before attempting serious hostilities. The British Minister reported that it was the opinion [apparent omission] the market place of the Capital that the show of opposition was for effect and that the entire business had been pre-arranged with the Shah's knowledge and consent. WINANT 740.0011 European War 1939/14469: Telegram The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State TEHRAN, August 27, 1941-noon. [Received August 28-2: 57 p. m.] 110. The calm which has prevailed in Tehran is rapidly giving way to nervousness and fear. Contributory causes are the Russian bombing of open towns particularly nearby Kazvin yesterday and growing realization that the Shah may not after all be able to settle matters amicably with his alleged good friends, the British. The drone of Iranian airplanes overhead, the surge of rumors, shortage of food, fear of Tehran being bombed, and the dread of the advancing Russians are also playing their part. The food situation continues unimproved and near riots are developing in food and kerosene cues. The Imperial Bank closed for a short time yesterday due to a run. Gendarmerie police are still in full control and there have yet been no important incidents [apparent omission] is potentially dangerous and may degenerate into rioting. Our citizens in Tehran are well and calm and those in outlying section are believed to be safe. Arrangements have been made for our missionaries throughout the country to get in touch with the Legation through the mission headquarters in Tehran in case of danger or 2 Apparently a reference to Secretary Hull's remark at the press conference that he had no more details regarding Iran but that he understood that the one immediate question was the fighting between the Germans and the British and Russians. 3 harm to them. Mr. Boyce has just informed me that Hamadan and others are in touch with the mission on routine matters and have reported no difficulties. About 800 Germans have taken refuge in the German Legation and some 350 British Indians and Allied nationals have been taken into the 2 British compounds. Our American staff and citizens in Tehran have not yet considered it necessary to accept my offer to grant them refuge in the Legation compound and I consequently continue to refuse to take in numerous Czechs and other nationals who are apply. ing for admission. There is little reliable news in Tehran of the actual military situation and Iranian communiqué number 1, issued last night covering the first day gives no news of value. While reinforcements continue to move towards the frontiers and while general mobilization has not been ordered additional soldiers are being drafted. Military resistance is being offered but I am of the opinion that it is so impotent that it will collapse within a few days unless foreign assistance is received. DREYFUS 740.0011 European War 1939/14413: Telegram The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State ANKARA, August 27, 1941-1 p. m. [Received 11: 55 p. m.] 314. Foreign Minister informs me Turkish Government regrets that Russo-British action makes it impossible for friendly neighbor Iran to remain outside war but it has no alternative but to accept situation and maintain its own neutrality. 2. He has just been requested by Iranian Ambassador to use his good offices with British and Russians to effect their withdrawal upon Iran's undertaking to expel Germans in question. While undertaking to use his best endeavors he has frankly informed Ambassador he has little if any hope of success as he personally considers that real reason for Russo-British action was strategic one of effecting junction of their forces rather than any question of German agents in Iran. 3. In response to question he indicated feeling that situation in Iran did not increase but would perhaps even tend to diminish any danger of German action against Turkey. Repeated to Tehran. MACMURRAY Arthur C. Boyce, representative of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. |