Office of the Historian

891.51A/1–1945: Telegram

The Ambassador in Iran (Morris) to the Secretary of State

Tehran, January 19, 1945—4 p.m.
[Received 4:40 p.m.]

37. ReEmbs 22, January 11. Prime Minister has failed to fulfill informal understanding with Black regarding latter’s interim position as Supervisor of Economic Organizations. Instead of delivering letter of confirmation which he promised, Bayat has attempted to persuade him to act in purely advisory capacity without any authority at all. Black has refused and submitted his resignation. This leaves economic side of Millspaugh group without a head.

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Shields, Hurst and Breitenbach10 have left Road Transport Administration in protest against appointment of Iranian as chief of organization. Shields says Prime Minister assured him he would be left in charge for the time being. All three are preparing to return to United States although Shields says he is willing to return to work and help out for a time if so requested by Bayat.

LeCount has resigned as Treasurer General primarily because he considers attitude of Ebtehaj makes it impossible for him to do effective work but also for reasons of health.

Vivian and Murray11 have also resigned and other members of mission are debating whether to follow suit.

Bayat is holding conference after conference with so-called economic experts mostly ex-Cabinet Ministers to devise formula for continuation economic activities of government but there is no sign that he is Hearing decision or that whatever plan emerges will give satisfactory positions of authority to the Americans.

Since situation is developing contrary to assurances given me by Bayat and Entezam12 that action against Millspaugh would not affect mission as a whole I am seeking first opportunity to discuss it with them and shall report results.

Morris
  1. Floyd F. Shields, Director General of the Road Transport Administration of the American Financial Mission to Iran; John L. Hurst, Director of the Division of Transportation and Maintenance; and Edward V. Breitenbach, Director of the Division of Administration.↩
  2. Rex Vivian, Director General of the Administration of General Inspection, and Bradley Murray, Assistant to Rex A. Pixley, Deputy Administrator General of the Finances and Director General of Accounts and Audits, of the American Financial Mission in Iran.↩
  3. Nasrollah Entezam, Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩