ABDICATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24714, 17 September 1941, Page 5

ABDICATION

THE SHAH OF PERSIA ALLIED TROOPS MOVING ADVANCE ON TEHERAN (Rec. 2 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16. The Shah of Persia has abdicated, and has been succeeded by his oldest son, the Crown Prince. The decision was made known only a few hours ago, and was announced by the Prime Minister of Iran at a special session of Parliament. It has been known for some time that hidden influences have hampered the work of the British Legation in Persia, and that the expulsion of German agents has not been carried out as agreed. The new Shah is aged 21. He was educated in Switzerland. British and Russian troops have made a rendezvous, and have begun to advance on Teheran, the capital of Iran.

PEOPLE DISSATISFIED CIVIL WAR EXPECTED LONDON, Sept. 15. Information reaching London corroborates the reports of the growing dissatisfaction of the people of Iran with the Shah’s autocratic regime. This popular feeling tends to increase the difficulties of the Iran Government. The Allies, however, have no intention of allowing matters to drag on indefinitely. A further batch of male Germans left Teheran by train to-day._ It is stated in diplomatic circles in London that the Germans in Iran are displaying tactics typical of men under arrest who “ refuse to go quietly,” but the British and Soviet authorities intend their expulsion to be carried out speedily and thoroughly. The Allied Ministers in Teheran during the week-end insisted that the Government get the Germans out of the Legation and from anywhere else where they are lurking, and concentrate them in ban-acks at Teheran in readiness for entrainment either to Ahwaz or Kazvin. The Ankara correspondent of the Evening Standard says the fierce tribes in south-western Iran are rising in revolt, there are signs that the insurgency within the Iranian army is increasing, and that civil war is expected within two or three weeks unless the regime is overthrown and the Shah abdicates. Criticism of the British for leaving the regime in power is heard throughout the country. The Shah has summoned all deputies to his palace. ROUNDING UP THE NAZIS THE ALLIED MEASURES RUGBY, Sept. 15. Folowing the delaying tactics of the Germans in Teheran it is stated in authoritative circles in London that during the w r eek-end the British and Soviet authorities insisted that the Iranian Government should remove the Germans from the legation and anywhere else where they might be lurking, and immediately concentrate them in barracks in Teheran ready to be entrained to Ahwaz (in .the British zone) or Kazvin (in the Russian zone). It is known that several hundred Germans packed themselves in the legation. The pi'esent position is that while the Iranian Government is well-intentioned and shows every desire to collaborate, it is being impeded not only by the Germans, but 'also by the pro-Axis Iranian elements. The Iranian Government, therefore, requires a good deal of stiffening from British and Soviet quarters. The Allies have no intention of allowing matters to drag on indefinitely. The reports of popular dissatisfaction with the Shah’s autocratic regime are fully borne out by official information reaching London. The Shah, moreover, has allowed a proAxis article to appear in a newspaper which had been suppressed by the Government and which was repudiated by the Teheran wireless, over which the Government had taken control. The British and Soviet Governments are firm in their intention to take all necessary measures to strengthen the hands of the Iranian Government in securing its objectives and carrying out the terms of the agreement made with them. Following the distribution of pamphlets in the streets of Teheran saying that the crown jewels had been removed from the country the Finance Minister said they could be seen at the national bank, where they form part of the backing for currency. He recalled that part of tixe crown jewels were shown in the exhibition of Persian art in London in 1931. They included a globe of the world on which the countries are indicated by jewels.