Office of the Historian

891.00/20426/8

Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Murray)37

Washington, October 22, 1943.

With regard to the attached letter from Admiral Leahy addressed to Mr. Berle,38 as well as Mr. Berle’s memorandum,39 we are already starting action along the following lines.

1.
We propose to telegraph to Mr. Dreyfus to ascertain the present situation with respect to a legation guard. It seems desirable to have this information in hand before taking the matter up with the War Department, in view of the fact that we have learned informally from Colonel Chaffee, who has recently been in Tehran, that General Connolly had instructed one of his military patrols to pass by the legation compound at stated intervals. This action may or may not be sufficient for the legation’s needs.
2.
With respect to Admiral Leahy’s helpful assurances that the Secretary of War, upon our request, might be able to lend this Department a number of individuals to assist Dr. Millspaugh and other American advisers in Iran, we are telegraphing our Legation to furnish us with complete information as to the number and type of advisers needed. As soon as that information is in hand we shall take the matter up with the War Department.
3.
With regard to Admiral Leahy’s thought that it might be desirable to assign “a two-fisted general” to Iran and his speculation as to whether Iran might not request us to send a military mission, in view of their recent declaration of war, the following observations are in order:
a)
Such a request was received from the Iranian Government many months ago and was enthusiastically supported by the British Government. As a result Major General Ridley was sent to Iran as head of a military mission and is now operating with eight or nine American officers under him. Recently the Iranian Government requested us to send additional officers to strengthen that mission. The War Department, however, requested us to inform the Iranian Legation that it would be difficult to spare additional personnel and that in any case consideration could be given to the request only if it were recommended [Page 399] by Major General Ridley. Even then, the War Department pointed out, it would be necessary to weigh the request most carefully in view of the manpower shortage. I am strongly of the view that the existing mission should be strengthened with a view to reorganizing the Iranian army as soon as possible, for the purpose of preserving law and order in the country which appears to be disintegrating rather seriously.
b)
After a discussion with Mr. Berle yesterday of the Iranian situation it was agreed that we might draft a memorandum to the President for Mr. Stettinius’ initials, if he approves, suggesting the temporary assignment of General Hurley to Iran in the capacity of Personal Representative of the President with the rank of Ambassador, and with two stars on his shoulders. We are in agreement that after the forthcoming departure of Mr. Dreyfus on leave of absence, General Hurley might do a very useful job for us in bringing about a much needed collaboration between the Persian Gulf Service Command and the Legation, as well as with the numerous other American advisers functioning in the country. The memorandum in question will come along shortly for your approval.
Wallace Murray
  1. Addressed to the Assistant Secretary of State (Berle) and the Acting Secretary of State (Stettinius). In a memorandum of October 28 the Acting Secretary wrote: “Thank you very much for your memorandum of October 22 relative to Iran which I have read with great interest. I agree with your suggestion regarding the memorandum to the President on General Hurley and would appreciate it if you would be good enough to draft such a memorandum for my signature.”↩
  2. Supra. ↩
  3. October 20, p. 396.↩