891.20/239: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 2—1:39 p.m.]
908. My 902, August 31. More than 100 persons have already been arrested. Among most important are Generals Koupal, Aghevli, [Page 384] Pourzand; ex-Prime Minister Matin Daftary; Supreme Court Judge Ali Heyat; ex-Cabinet Minister Mohammad Sadjady. Kashani one of Iran’s most prominent Mollas8 escaped as he was about to be arrested; Deputy Nowbakht disappeared some days ago and has not been apprehended.
Public opinion while naturally critical of Government and Allies has not yet sufficiently recovered from bewilderment caused by arrests to become crystalized. Prime and Foreign Ministers appear to take balanced view. Both told me yesterday that since Iran is allied to British and Russians, arrests must be supported if they are based on sufficient evidence. Press this morning was critical but was probably deterred from taking stronger line against Government and Allies by fact that several more radical newspapers have been suppressed in last 2 days and at least one editor arrested. Majlis has not yet had opportunity to express opinion.
Unfortunately public appear to believe that Americans are at least partially responsible for arrests. This morning Foreign Minister said he was investigating rumor that Americans have not only arrested railway employees but had manacled them and put derogatory signs on their backs, and if he found it true would make strong protest to Legation. I myself investigated matter, am convinced it is untrue and have so informed Foreign Minister.
- Islamic religious.↩