PERSIAN NOTE TO RUSSIA

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24740, 4 December 1945, Page 5

PERSIAN NOTE TO RUSSIA

Conciliatory Reply FREEDOM TO MOVE TROOPS SOUGHT (N.2, Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.15 a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 3. “A Persian reply to the Russian Note requests Russia to inform Persia as soon aS possible what steps are being taken to ensure freedom of action tor Persian officials in northern Persia," says Reuter’s Teheran correspondent. “The reply, which is couched in extremely conciliatory terms, also asks for transit for Persian forcgs, particuthe body* of troops which the Russians held up at Harifagad, on their way to, Azerbaijan. “The note expresses Persia's delight at Russian assurances of non-interven-tion in .Persia’s internal affairs, but adds; ‘The Persian Government hopes that during the evacuation from Persia. within the shortest possible time, there will be no further unpleasant steps taken by the Russian authorities to mar the unshakeable friendship between Russia and Persia.’ “The note contradicts the Russian statement that an increase in the Persian forces in the north would be a matter for suspicion. It adds: The forces would not be used against the people, but for the prevention of disorder and aggression, and to enable the Government to pacify the provinces and meet legitimate Azerbaijan grievances.’ ” The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press says that Russia has replied to the British Note on Persia and has rejected the United States suggestion that the Allied troops should be withdrawn from the country by January 1, 1946. It is stated in Moscow that the United States has resolved to withdraw its troops by the end of the year, irrespective of any British or Russian action. The British Embassy at Teheran has denied reports that more British troops have arrived in Persia. Three United States observers have returned to Teheran after visiting the northern province of Azerbaijan and its capital, Tabriz. They declared that the position was now quiet in Tabriz because the Democratic Party was unhindered in its work. The Persian garrisons’ were strong enough to prevent an uprising, but not strong enough to restore the power of the Government. Kurdish tribesmen were reported to be arming and preparing for rebellion, but this was distinct from the autonomy movement. Persian Government officials in, Azerbaijan have complained about alleged interference by Russians in Persian domestic affairs. The National Democratic Movement developing in the northern provinces of Persia was an internal affair with which Russia was not concerned, said a commentator on the Moscow radio. He accused Persian reactionaries, of misrepresenting Russia’s friendly attitude and of trying to stir up trouble between Russia, Britain, and America. BRITISH CIVIL PLANES NEW TYPES TESTED ONE SUCCESSFUL;, ONE CRASHES LONDON, Dec. 2. The first post-war British aircraft built entirely for civilian requirements, a freight carrier, has been successfully tested at Bristol exactly a year after work bad begun. The Bristol ■ Aeroplane Company has orders guaranteeing a two years’ output of 2000 aeroplanes. The freighter is designed to carry •general cargo at Is a ton a mile. A passenger version, the Wayfarer, is designed to carry passengers at 2id a mile. . The new aeroplane . has a cruising speed of 150 to 180 miles an hour, and it will carry a maximum pay load of five and a half tons. The company plans to build 100 next year. An official of the company said that there were prospective buyers in Africa, India, and South America, as well ag amongst local air lines. An Indian prince had ordered a passenger model for his entourage, and another, would be used to carry native labour for South African gold mines. A Handley Page Hermes fourengined air liner crashed and caught fire near the Radlett railway station five minutes after taking off on its first test flight. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jimmy Talbot, who was the chief Handley Page test pilot, and the chief -technician, Mr Wright, were killed. “The Hermes had been op the drawing boards for two years and was one of the new aircraft designed to put Britain back on the map of civil aviation.’’ says the “Daily Mail.” "The plane suddenly fell in a series of jerks, and ‘hen half turned over and crashed from 400 feet The Hermes, which was air-conditioned, was designed as an ‘all climates’ air-liner. The makers claimed for it a maximum speed of 337 miles an hour and a cruising speed of 240 miles an hour, with a payload of 82401b, for 3040 miles.” INDEPENDENCE OF ICELAND PRIVILEGES TO POWERS OPPOSED (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, December 2 “We are all for international cooperation but we will not grant privileges to foreign Powers,” said Professor Gunnar Thoroddsen, a Conservative member of the Althing (Iceland’s Parliament) in a broadcast from Reykjavik. He was commenting on a United States request for military and naval bases in Iceland. He insisted that Iceland valued its independence and expected the United Nations organisation to maintain peace. DEVELOPMENT OF TELEVISION LONG-RANGE BROADCAST IN U.S. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 2. Long-distance television was established successfully yesterday with a 240-mile broadcast between Philadelphia and New York City and Schenectady of an Army and Navy: football match. It was the first tim 6 that a visual broadcast had been made successfully over a distance greater than a few miles. Reception in New York generally was good, although at times it faded and the screen resembled a worn-out movie. It. is expected that television will operate regularly between Washington and New York next month, and that the service will be extended another 340 miles south to Charlotte, North Carolina, by. the end of next year. ROUND THE WORLD IN 96 HOURS WASHINGTON, November 30. The War Department has announced that a twin-engined Martin Marauder attack bomber completed a 24,859mile round-ihe-world flight in 9Ghr 50 min flying time. The flight indicated that squadrons of new light bombers could be dispatched quickly from the United States to anywhere in the world. The aeroplane flew westward via Hawaii, the Marianas, the Philippines. India, North Africa, the Azores, and Bermuda, and landed at Washington yesterday.