WAVELL’S VISIT TO TEHERAN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23446, 29 September 1941, Page 5

WAVELL’S VISIT TO TEHERAN

DISCUSSIONS IN IRAN’S CAPITAL PLANS FOR EXPEDITION DENIED (8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 27. It is authoritatively stated in London that reports that an expedition is now being organised by General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief in India, through Iran are without foundation, as also are stories that large numbers of troops and tanks being sent from India are destined for the Caucasus. The fact is, according to statements made in London to-day. that when Sir Archibald Wavell left London it was his intention to call at Teheran on his way back to India. Teheran is in an area which is part of Sir Archibald WavcH’s command, and it was natural for him on his arrival in Teheran to discuss with the Russian representatives there any necessary joint defence measures. FREE STATE IN IRAN TRIBESMEN DEFY ALLIES CONTROL OF IMPORTANT ROADS SEIZED LONDON, September 27. Thousands of Kurdish riflemen under rebellious mountain chieftains are reported to have established a free state between the British and Russian zones of occupation in Iran, and to have defied the Allies to oust them, says the Teheran correspondent of the Associated Press of Groat Britain. They are reported to have seized control of important roads. The former Shall suppressed and disarmed the warrior tribes, but they are now plentifully equipped with rifles abandoned by deserting conscripts. It is reported from Ankara that 4G4 Germans have arrived there from Iran. They include the German Minister to Iran and 52 other members of the legation at Teheran. It is also reported from Ankara that the former Shah of Iran intends to go to America if a visa is obtainable. The former queen refused to leave Iran. A British Official Wireless message says tiiat German propaganda, with its ready inventiveness, is now spreading reports that in Iran serious difficulties have already arisen between the British and the Russians. It is stated in London that the Gorman wish is father to the thought. In fact, co-operation between the British and Russian forces has not been marred by the least friction. On various occasions advance parlies of the (wo forces have come into contact, and these have always shown the most cordial and accommodating spirit. _ The good relations established in their informal way between the lower ranks were confirmed on September 23 when an Allied ceremony was held in Teheran. The British and Russian commanders met and there was a parade of troops, an equal number of officers and men representing the two armies being passed in review. Subsequently there was a reception in which Iranian officials, as well as Allied, took Complete liaison has been established and both personal and official relations leave nothing to bo desired. GERMAN DEMAND TO BULGARIA Entry Into War Against Russia KING BORIS TO SEE HITLER (U.P.A.) LONDON, September 27. The Vichy radio announced that King Boris, of Bulgaria, is proceeding to Hitler’s headquarters. It is reported from. Ankara that the Bulgarian Cabinet, after a secret session, decided to ask Germany to modify her demand that Bulgaria should declare war on Russia, Bulgarian troops instead to bo used in occupation duties throughout Europe. Unofficial Gorman sources are said to be conducting a nerve war against Turkey, and 'reports emanating from Sofia and Bucharest say the Germans have sent an ultimatum demanding the passage of troops'across Turkey. According 1o well-informed sources in Ankara, Germany is applying pressure on her “allies’’ to provide 1,000,000 men for the fighting in Russia. It is said that Hiller is demanding 100.000 men from Rumania, 150,000 from Hungary. 100,000 from Slovakia, 150.000 from Bulgaria, and 500,000 from Italy. BRITAIN’S NOTE TO FINLAND ATTACK AGAINST RUSSIA (8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 27. It is now possible to make public the text of the message which, as already reported, was sent by the British Government to the Finnish Government recently concerning British-Finnish relations. The text of the Note is as follows; “So long as Finland in alliance with Germany is carrying on an aggressive war against and on the territory of an ally of Great Britain, His Majesty’s Government is bound to consider Finland to be a member of the Axis, since it is impossible to separate the war which Finland is waging against Russia from the general European war. “If, therefore, the Finnish Government persists in invading purely Russian territory, a situation will arise in which Great Britain will bo forced to treat Finland as an open enemy, not only while the war lasts, but also when peace comes to bo made. “His Majesty’s Government greatly regrets such a development in view of the friendship which has always existed between Great Britain and Finland. Although the Finnish Government expelled the British Minister from Helsinki, His Majesty’s Government is ready to overlook this act of discourtesy and to welcome an early restoration of normal diplomatic intcrcouso between the two countries. But the Finnish Government must realise that for this to be possible, the first essential is that Finland should terminate her war against Russia and evacuate all territory beyond her frontiers of 193!). “As soon as this has been accomplished Ills Majesty’s Government will be ready, for its part, to study sympathetically any proposals for an improvement of relations between Great Britain and Finland, even though the continued presence of German armies on Finnish soil might render impossible at first a restoration of full diplomatic relations and a resumption of overseas trade on the same basis as existed so long as Finland was neutral.”