861.24/1773
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Middle Eastern Affairs (Allen)
Subject: Broadening Directives of General Connolly
| Participants: | Mr. John J. McCloy, Assistant Secretary of War |
| Mr. Murray20 | |
| Mr. Allen |
Mr. Murray said that he was calling on Mr. McCloy at the suggestion of Mr. Stettinius21 for the purpose of discussing the above subject. Mr. Murray reviewed briefly the history of American relations with Iran, with particular reference to the special interest we have had in that country since Mr. Morgan Shuster, a prominent American economist and financial authority, was appointed Adviser to the Iranian (then Persian) Government in 1912 [1911].22 Mr. Murray referred to the long history of American missionary, educational, philanthropic and cultural activities in Iran. He said that our interest in that country, however, had recently been increased to a remarkable extent, and for very realistic causes. Some 28,000 American troops are now stationed in that country, engaged in forwarding supplies to Russia. Large numbers of British and Russian troops are also stationed in the country. It is there, he said, that the three great Powers: United States, United Kingdom and U.S.S.R., come in most intimate contact. We have every reason not only to desire but to insist that Iran be kept peaceful and that causes for disturbances there be eliminated.
Mr. Murray pointed out that the fruit of our carefully cultivated policy towards Iran had ripened in the Tehran Declaration issued December 1, 1943 by President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Marshal Stalin. This Declaration, for which the American officials at Tehran were primarily responsible and the wording of which, in fact, had been prepared by our own officers, not only guaranteed the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iran but also gave assurances [Page 310] that the three Powers concerned would aid in the economic development of that country.
Mr. Murray said that recently General Patrick Hurley, the President’s Personal Representative in Iran, had reported to the President that one of the principal means by which we could implement the policy of the Tehran Declaration would be for the War Department to broaden General Connolly’s directives to enable him to take such measures as might be possible, without detriment to the primary objective of his mission, to render such assistance as he could, through men and matériel to the Iranian Government.23
At this point Colonel Johnson, the officer in immediate charge of Iranian matters in the Operations Division, joined the conversations at Mr. McCloy’s request.
Mr. McCloy asked for suggestions regarding the type of help General Connolly might render. Mr. Murray said that there frequently arose opportunities for the American forces in Iran to help the Persians in large or small matters. Reference was made to the question of digging wells with equipment which General Connolly controls, to the question of possible assistance in road-building or other construction projects, and to the supplying of technical personnel for communications.
Colonel Johnson said that General Connolly recently had been asked to report on the possible assistance which he might render the Persians, but that his absence in Russia had doubtless prevented a reply. The War Department expected to receive an answer within a week or so. Colonel Johnson added that General Connolly had already reported a shortage of troops under his command and an inability to release any of his men for service in other war areas.
Mr. Allen suggested that while General Connolly might feel an over-all shortage, certain categories of technicians might be available from time to time as their jobs are completed. Mr. Allen thought that there were two reasons which General Connolly might give for declining to assist the Iranians: (1) A lack of any surplus of men or matériel, and (2) a lack of any authorization from the War Department to accord such assistance, even if he had the men and matériel. Mr. Allen thought that the principal object of the present discussion was to remove the second possible objection.
Colonel Johnson said that General Connolly had received numerous requests from the Iranians for assistance and referred to a very improper request from the President of the Medjlis24 to build a private road on his property. Mr. Murray said that the State Department was certainly not proposing that General Connolly be authorized [Page 311] to render any assistance to private individuals, but to the Iranian people.
Mr. McCloy said that he personally saw no reason why General Connolly’s directives should not be broadened and that the War Department would examine the question as sympathetically as possible. He said that Colonel Johnson would keep us informed of developments, particularly as regards any reply which might be received from General Connolly.
- Wallace Murray became Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs, January 15, 1944.↩
- Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., Under Secretary of State.↩
- For correspondence regarding Iranian employment of American financial advisers, see Foreign Relations, 1911, pp. 679 ff.↩
- For General Hurley’s letter of December 21, 1943, to President Roosevelt, and the latter’s comments thereon, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. iv, p. 420.↩
- The Iranian Parliament.↩