891.00/1903: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 10—12:15 p.m.]
256. Reference my No. 253, August 9. British Minister yesterday handed severe note to Prime Minister complaining of the lack of cooperation on part of Iranian authorities in arresting, interrogating and holding persons whose arrests were requested by British on grounds of pro-Axis activities and expressing hope that Qavam would [Page 337] deal with matter in practical and statesmanlike manner. British were especially annoyed to learn that a most important German woman prisoner in Iranian custody was killed or committed suicide today in jail before she could be fully questioned.
British are to a certain extent justified in their present attitude (see last paragraph number 111, April 188) because of Iranian lack of cooperation. The criticism of the British contained in the second paragraph of my No. 253 was intended to apply to their unfortunate manner of dealing with the Iranians rather than the merits of this case. Soviet Ambassador informs me he has told Qavam that he supports British in this question of arrests.
- Not printed.↩