DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 27 October 1941, Page 6

DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAN

ENCOI' R AGING It I iPORT ALLIANCE TREATIES WITH BRITAIN AND RUSSIA Rugby, Oct. 25. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, in the course of an address to-day gave an encouraging report on the recent developments in Iran, where the new Government, he said, was co-operating J loyally with Britain and Russia and i had embarked on an enlightened pro- | gramme of internal reforms designed ! to benefit all classes and put an end j to the corruption and tyranny of the last years of the ex-Shah's regime. The new Shah has shown his sympathy for j the democratic principle, i “We have also suggested to the Perj sian Government that it should sign a J treaty of alliance with the Soviet and | British Governments, and they have j already accepted this proposal in prini ciple,” Mr Eden said. lie hoped to be | able soon to announce the conclusion f of the alliance, which would do much lto ensure the stability of this vital These welcome developments in Iran had enabled the opening of a supply i route to Russia which had the inestimable advantage of being available in all seasons of the year. Arrange - ments to increase the capacity of the rail and road traffic were already being made. From the Caucasus through Iran, Iraq*. Syria. Palestine and Egypt to the Western Desert there was now an unbroken Allied front. Reinforcements and supplies were reaching that front not only from Britain but also from India and other parts of the Empire and the United States. The British position in the Middle East was immensely strengthened since a year ago. The Afghan Government, Mr Eden added, had agreed to a joint BritishSoviet request that all non-official Germans and Italians should be expelled.— 8.0. W. SOVIET UNITS RECALLED London, Oct. 26. The Teheran correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Red Army command at Tiflis has recalled mechanised units from northern Iran and armoured cars from Kazvin and Zenjan have already started for Tabriz en route for Ihe Russian frontier. A Russian cavalry division in the Lake Urumia district has sent back two regiments, and the Russian Air Force was removed northward of Tabriz a week ago.—U.P.A.