RAILWAY LINKS PROPOSED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 299, 15 September 1941, Page 8

RAILWAY LINKS PROPOSED

From Mediterranean To Russia POSITION IN IRAN (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received Sept. 14, 7 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13. The Beirut correspondent of the British United Press says that the Free French authorities in Syria and a delegation from Iraq have reached agreement, assuring the provision of vital Allied rail communications linking the Mediteiranean, the Persian Gulf and tne Caspian Sea. After 24 hours’ stalling by the German Legation, the first hater, of 80 Germans has left Teheran by train for a concentration camp. It is learned in informed quarters that arrangements that were made for two trains, one conveying Germans to Abiwaz, where they would be under control of the British authorities, and one conveying other Germans to Kasvin, where they would be under control of the Russians, to have Teheran yesterday- morning. These two contingents, about 250 men, did not leave at the time mentioned, and firm representations were at once made by the British Minister, to get (he Iranian undertaking carried out at the earliest possible moment. Shah-Inspired Article. Britain has demanded the closure of the Bulgarian Legation in Teheran, to which Iran has agreed. The British and Russian Ministers asked for clarification of the Iran Government's attitude following the publication of an offensive article in the “Ettelaat,” suggesting that Iran’s missions in the capitals of the Axis Bowers would remain and Iran’s political relations with the Axis Powers continue as before. The Iran Government suppressed the paper. The policy of the British and Soviet Governments requires a complete severance of diplomatic relations between Iran and the Axis Governments. There seems little doubt that the offending newspaper article was inspired by the Shah or some member of his family (states British Official. Wireless). '