891.77/706: Telegram
The Minister in Iran ( Dreyfus ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 24—11:47 a.m.]
398. British Legation is seeking authority from Minister of State Cairo.
- (1)
- To notify Iran Government formally that American military authorities are taking over operation southern section Trans-Iranian railway and
- (2)
- After official notification is given to make public statement of this fact, stating also that allocation of traffic on railway will continue to be effected by British personnel.
Colonel Yount and I agree that official notification should be given Iranian Government since our military authorities will soon have to carry on certain negotiations with Iranian Government in this regard. However, we both feel that a public statement at this time would serve no purpose and might even be harmful since our personnel [Page 315] are now on the high seas. I should appreciate Department’s instructions and in meantime will not agree to any public statement.