891.00/1910: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—11:49 a.m.]
265. My Nos. 253, August 9 and 256, August 10. The dispute between British and Iranians over arrests has become more aggravated. Conversations are now taking place on subject in London between Foreign Office and Iran Minister. British Legation Tehran has explained its stand to Foreign Office and has asked for definite instructions.
Iran press and public have been so deeply stirred by these arrests that hatred of British has reached a peak. Iranians take view that Allies have no right to require Iran Government to make illegal and unconstitutional arrests, that procedure is undemocratic and not based on provisions of treaty, that wholesale arrests are as bad as treatment meted out to people by Shah Reza and they are no longer secure in their homes. They demand that arrests be made legally and that evidence of guilt be presented to Iranian tribunal.
[Page 340]I am of opinion after much contact with problem that British are doing more harm to Allied cause by these arrests than their values warrants. Worst feature from our viewpoint is that United States is now being linked with British in responsibility for arrests which is injurious to our prestige. Leading evening newspaper Etelaat in editorial yesterday appealed to this Legation to see that justice is done.