Page images
PDF
EPUB

part of his country in Iran will inevitably have harmful effects in Turkey. It is his intention to continue "his endeavors to implement the assurances which His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government have given to respect the political independence and territorial integrity of Iran".

He asked me to tell you that he is deeply grateful for your interest in this matter.

In regard to the last paragraph of your message Mr. Eden suggests that you might instruct me to take up with Mr. Maisky the interest of our Government in supporting the political independence and territorial integrity of Iran. This might enable us to coordinate our efforts with greater precision.

My conversation was carried on with Mr. Eden on the telephone over "the scrambler" as he is not in London today.

I await your wishes.

I am attaching hereto Mr. Eden's cable to Sir Stafford Cripps (Moscow) of September 23, 1941.

"Sir,

When the Soviet Ambassador came to see me this afternoon I spoke to His Excellency about the position in Iranian Azerbaijan. I understood that there had been a movement, especially among the Armenian minority, in favor of the separation of that province from Iran and its eventual federation with the Soviet Union. Considerable apprehension appeared to exist lest these separatist tendencies should be encouraged by the Soviet military authorities in Tabriz. It appeared that, on their first arrival, the Soviet forces had armed many Armenian irregulars to keep order in Azerbaijan, but that these Armenians had since been disarmed. About first September a large open air meeting had been held at Tabriz which was chiefly attended by Armenians, who demanded independence for Azerbaijan and its federation with the Soviet Union; but the Soviet military authorities had wisely prevented a second public meeting from being held with the same object in view. A petition had, however, been circulated in the same sense. It seemed to me most important that no encouragement should be given to the movement for autonomy in Azerbaijan by the Soviet Government. The effect of any such action on Turkey and on the Moslem population in other parts of Iran would be deplorable.

2. The Ambassador replied that he felt sure that the Soviet authorities had no such intention. Indeed, I myself had told him that the Soviet military authorities had prevented the second meeting. I replied that though this was so, I attached so much importance to the matter that I hoped that the Ambassador would telegraph to his Government reporting what I had said. M. Maisky undertook to do so. I am, et cetera. Anthony Eden."

WINANT

891.00/1792: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom

(Winant) 54

WASHINGTON, October 8, 1941-1 p. m. 4298. Your 4724, October 4, 8 p. m. In accordance with Mr. Eden's suggestion, you may discuss with the Soviet Ambassador the interest of this Government in the preservation of the political independence and territorial integrity of Iran, explaining the attitude of this Government as set forth in the Department's 4218, October 3, 11 p. m.

You should thank Mr. Eden for his helpfulness, state that you are complying with his suggestion that you discuss the matter with the Soviet Ambassador, and inform him that our Embassy at Moscow has been instructed to take the matter up there directly with the Soviet authorities.

For your information there is repeated the following telegram which has been sent to Moscow by the Department:

[Here follows text of telegram printed infra.]

HULL

891.00/1792: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union

(Steinhardt)

WASHINGTON, October 8, 1941-1 p. m. 1124. Subsequent to the Department's 1078, September 25, 7 p. m., the Legation at Tehran has submitted to the Department further telegraphic reports, substantiated by information supplied by the British Minister to Iran, that the Russians in the occupied zone are engaging in political intrigue, disseminating Soviet propaganda, and are displaying open sympathy toward Armenian and other separatist movements. Russian Government support of this activity has been indicated by a recent suggestion of the Russian Ambassador in Tehran to the Iranian Government that special elections should be held and a greater degree of autonomy granted to certain areas in Iran.

Mr. Eden has taken this matter up with Ambassador Maisky in London, pointing out that Soviet political activities in Iran will inevitably have harmful effects in Turkey, and he has informed Ambassador Cripps by cable of this conversation.

You should seek the earliest opportunity to inform the Foreign Office that this Government views with concern reports which have been received concerning Russian political activities in Iran and is ex

54

'Repeated to the Minister in Iran in telegram No. 104, October 8, 1 p. m.

tremely apprehensive of the effect upon Turkey of any display of Russian sympathy toward an Armenian separatist movement in Iran. In this connection you should refer to the assurances that the territorial integrity and political independence of Iran will be respected, contained in the Soviet Government's note of August 25 to the Iranian Ambassador and you should refer also to Dekanosov's reaffirmations of these assurances reported in section 4 of your 1632, September 6, 2 p. m.55 Referring to the President's message of reassurance to the Shah (Department's 1026, September 4, 2 p. m.56) you should state that this Government is confident that the Soviet Government will make sure that effective measures are being taken to implement the assurances which it has given to respect the territorial integrity and political independence of Iran.

HULL

740.0011 European War 1939/15733: Telegram

The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State

TEHRAN, October 9, 1941-4 p.m. [Received 7: 10 p. m.]

182. I was received in audience by the Shah at his revue [sic] yesterday at 5 p. m. We conversed alone in French for 2 hours.

Shah began by expressing his belief in Allied victory and added that he voluntarily espouses democratic cause because he is strongly against totalitarian doctrine.

He regretted delay in signing treaty of alliance which he attributed to lack of understanding between the two allies which he added prevented him from beginning to prepare his army for vigorous defense against Germany.

He stated that while he does not object to British occupation, he does seriously object to that by the Russians which is having a disastrous effect on Iran. He repeated some of the numerous stories of Russian atrocities and political connivance which now form the main topic of conversation here. He added that if there is much more delay in signing the alliance and if the present Russian conduct continues the Majlis and the people may refuse to support Russia as an ally.

Shah accused Turkey of lack of loyalty to the Allies in their negotiations with Germany.

After remarking that his father had been unfortunate in being surrounded by bad advisers, he said he would govern constitutionally and look after welfare of his people. He closed the conversation by refer

[blocks in formation]

ring warmly to the United States which he thought would play an important role in the peace. He said he would be very happy to be an ally of America.

DREYFUS

740.0011 European War 1939/15734: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

LONDON, October 9, 1941-midnight. [Received October 9-6: 54 p. m.]

4820. Your 4298, October 8, 1 p. m., was communicated orally to Mr. Eden this afternoon. He expressed his appreciation and pleasure at the action the Department has taken, which he believes will have useful results.

He requested that the Department be informed in the strictest confidence that he had suggested to the Soviet Government through Mr. Maisky that either at the time of signing the tripartite treaty with Iran or as soon thereafter as possible the British and Soviet military forces be taken out of Tehran and back to their original line of occupation. To his surprise the Soviet Government indicated its assent almost immediately although he said he had not yet received any Soviet reaction to the draft tripartite treaty.

WINANT

891.00/1794: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary

of State

Moscow, October 11, 1941-1 p. m. [Received 4: 50 p.m.]

57

1788. Department's 1124, October 8, 1 p. m. I called on Vyshinski this afternoon and conveyed to him the substance of the Department's telegram under reference. He stated that reports that the Soviets in the occupied zone of Iran were engaged in political activities or propaganda or were displaying open sympathy toward Armenians or other separatist movements must be of German origin and were not in accordance with the facts. He added that the Soviet Government has no knowledge of any such activities by agents of the Soviet Government and that all that the Soviet authorities in the occupied zone of Iran are interested in is "the maintenance of law and order". I stressed

"Andrei Yanuarievich Vyshinsky, Soviet Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs.

the harmful effect upon Turkey of any display of Soviet sympathy toward an Armenian separatist movement in Iran to which Vyshinski replied that he "quite understood" this viewpoint.

STEINHARDT

740.0011 European War 1939/15972a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Iran (Dreyfus)

WASHINGTON, October 11, 1941-6 p. m. 109. The Department desires that Moose 58 visit Tabriz and such portions of the Tabriz area as you and he may deem it desirable and possible for him to visit for the following purposes:

1. To ascertain discreetly the nature of the Soviet occupation with particular reference to separatist movements and to the treatment of the local population.

2. To ascertain the present state of construction and condition of the railway line between Kazvin and Tabriz as well as plans for completing and improving it, with particular reference to the future transport thereon of lease-lend supplies.

3. To discuss with American citizens in Tabriz their problems and prospects.

4. To make a preliminary and discreet investigation of the availability of consular office and living quarters in Tabriz. For the strictly confidential information of the Legation and the Consulate, the Department is considering the reestablishment of a consulate at Tabriz and sending an additional officer to Iran for that purpose.

The Department deems it highly desirable that this visit be made without unnecessary delay, and you should take every appropriate step to facilitate it. Upon Moose's return, reports on the above matters are desired by telegraph.

The entire journey should occupy about 10 days, but unavoidable delays may occur en route and the actual time consumed must of course depend upon circumstances. An exhaustive investigation of conditions cannot of course be expected in the time at Moose's disposal, but the Department does desire to receive without loss of time an accurate general statement of conditions with such detailed information as can be readily obtained.

Moose is authorized to direct an employee of the Consulate to accompany him. Transportation expenses and per diem of Moose and employee chosen and travel by automobile authorized under Notes 6 and 20, Section V-44 of the Foreign Service Regulations.

58

James S. Moose, Jr., Second Secretary of Legation in Iran.

HULL

« PreviousContinue »