IRANIANS ARMED WITH SKODA GUNS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 205, 30 August 1941, Page 7

IRANIANS ARMED WITH SKODA GUNS

FOOD BIISHCD Ml

Allied Guarantee Against Nazi Menace British ornclal Wireless. Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. 29. Evidence of German influence in Iran is provided in a Simla communique, which reveals that two captured anti-tank guns proved to be of the latest Skoda manufacture. The communique states: "The Shah ordered his forces to cease hostilities, and Iranian envoys have met our forward troops with this information. In the northern sector British and Indian troops, pushing on from Shahabad on Thursday were met by a flag of truce from the Iranian Army, which retired to Kermanshah. "The Iranian commander offered to withdraw his troops and surrender the town if given until September 1, but our commander, having information from a prisoner that the Germans in Kermanshah had been advising the Iranians on defence plans, rightly refused to accept such delay and insisted that the Iranians should withdraw from their defensive positions by successive stages, starting immediately. It was significant that during the previous day's action two anti-tank guns captured intact with ammunition proved to be of the latest Skoda manufacture. "In the southern sector Indian infantry have continued to advance up both banks of the Karun River to Ahwaz, which is now in our hands. R.A.F. fighters provided air protection for our forward troops during these operations. "A new Russian column is reported to have reached Dilman. west of Lake Urmia. Their southward advance is continuing. The local inhabitants have been complaining that the Iranian troops have been begging for food from them owing to their rations being short. Our policy is to assist the Persian people D.v providing foodstuffs to lessen the general shortage existing throughout the country. For a start arrangements have been made to send about 700 tons of wheat into the area we occupied in southern Iran." Message In Leaflets. During the advance into Iran. R.A.F. planes dropped a quantity of leaflets on the towns, bringing home to the Iranian people the salient points that the British troops were operating to "keep out the accursed Germans." The leaflets made it clear that the British did not require the country's food, but if food were needed in Iran it would be brought in, as was being Gone in Syria. "We do not want vour goods." the leaflets continued, "but we will open your ports to trade as we are doing in Iraq. We come as friends armed only against the common enemy. The Germans prey on conauered peoples like starving locusts. "If the Germans had had time to securc a hold on Iran before the arrival of the British troops thev could have hindered our advance arid would have destroyed your cattle, burned your crops and turned Iran into a desert. From such a fate we are saving you as we saved Iraq and Syria. Soldiers of Iran, we are marching into your country as your friends. We are doing nothing against your countrv s well-being or freedom. All we want to ao is to keep out the accursed Germans. Our greeting to vou is Peace be with you.' Let vour replv , t>e, And on you be peace.' " Commenting on "the sober counsels which nave now prevailed in tw l '.!, Telegraph states that the conciliatory tune adopted bv the new Government will be warmlv welcomed in London and Moscow whose only desire is to safeguard their interests with a minimum loss ?i lke , the Iranian people and themselves." Occupy Key Positions 'In a forecast of the terms of the agreement between Iran, Britain and Russia the Daily Telegraph statesIt is clear that the minimum terms acceptable to two of the Allies must include the expulsion of the Nazis and the continued occupation of kev | positions by British and Russian troops. Too much is at stake in Iran to permit our taking anv further risks. "It seems that only a few hours after the Allied troops crossed the frontier," the paper says, "the Shah was already offering to expel the Nazis within a week provided the advance was halted. Obviously there could be no question of our stopping operations at that point. The Shah had had many months in which to deal with the Fifth Column menace but had obstinately rejected everv representation. When at last we were reluctantly compelled to resort to forcible measures there could be no going t>ack.~ For the duration of the war against Hitler, the occupying forces would remain in Iran to guarantee the immunity country from Nazi domination and to protect vital Empire interests, including, especially, the communications between Russia and the Persian Gulf, added the Daily Telegraph. It could be assumed that the occupation would be restricted to the smallest area and the fewest number of troops necessary to secure these ends. A Russian communique states that the Red Army in Iran yesterdav occupied Urmia, Meraghe, Bandar Shah and Gorgan, and their advance was continued, the Iranians offering no resistance. Germans Destroy Documents A message from Teheran states that the Germans at the Embassy are busily engaged destroving incriminating documents. It is reported from Ankara that Britain, Russia and Iran are discussing peace terms, including the joint British-Russian occupation of all strategically vital points, but excluding Teheran. Britain and Russia will guarantee to observe and defend Iran's territorial integrity and independence, and will guarantee not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs. All Germans are to be handed over to the occupying forces. Compensation is to be paid to Iran for loss of life and property during the occupation. Britain and Russia are also to give economic assistance (to Iran. j Calm prevails in Teheran, except among the Germans, who have closed j their businesses and tasen refuge in the German Embassy. | The Allies' demands on Iran,! according to the Daily Telegraph. 1 will include the handing over of all; fifth columnists, the adoption of a policy helpful to the Allies, the free) use "of ports, railways and rivers, I and an undisturbed flow 01 oiL