891.20/138a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Iran (Dreyfus)
132. War Department has designated General Greely10 to undertake work of Intendant General of Iranian Army in an advisory capacity, insofar as the proposed duties are compatible with his status as an American Army officer. Orders have been drafted directing him to report to you for instructions.
Iranian Minister here is consulting his Government regarding acceptability of this designation. Pending receipt of word in this respect, General Greely should not approach the Iranian authorities.
War Department is instructing Greely to report his views as to the task to be accomplished and the status which he should occupy to perform it to best advantage. Upon receipt of his recommendations, consideration will be given to such action as may be desirable and practicable to change his status from that of adviser to one having more direct authority. It is understood that legislative action by Congress would be necessary to enable him to accept a position under the Iranian Government.
- Maj. Gen. John N. Greely; for some discussion regarding General Greely’s informal position and functions in Iran during the months just following, see T. H. Vail Motter, The Persian Corridor and Aid to Russia, in the series United States Army in World War II: The Middle East Theater (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1952), pp. 165–169 and 170–171.↩