891.00/1986: Telegram
The Chargé in Iran ( Schnare ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 5—1:26 p.m.]
134. Legation’s 387 November 21.23 The name of Seyid-Zia-Din Tabatabai has again been brought to fore as a result of press interview given by him in Palestine published and widely commented on by Tehran press. Most Iranians are of opinion that the interview was British inspired as forerunner to bringing this politician back to power. Better elements look with apprehension on the move because they consider Tabatabai as unscrupulous and dictatorial. His action as newspaper editor at time of bitter dispute over abortive treaty of 191924 branded him in eyes of most Iranians as British tool; some observers regarded his attitude at that time, especially his refusal to publish statements of American position, as unfriendly to United States. I am informed that Russians are still opposed to Tabatabai in spite of his flattering references to Soviet Russia in his interview.
- Not printed.↩
- Agreement between Great Britain and Persia, signed at Tehran, August 9, 1919, Foreign Relations, 1919, vol. ii, p. 703; for correspondence relating to this agreement, see ibid., pp. 698 ff.↩