BRITISH MESSAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21513, 30 August 1941, Page 8

BRITISH MESSAGE

“PEACE BE WITH YOU”

ASSURANCE TO IRAN DRIVE OUT GERMANS ! (Official Wireless) (Received August 30, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY. August 23 During the advance into Iran the Royal Air Force dropped a quantity of leaflets in towns* bringing home to the Iranian people the salient point that the British troops were operating to “keep out the accursed Germans.” The leaflet made it clear that the British did not require the country’s food, but if food was needed in Iran it would be brought in, as it was being done in Syria.

“ We don't want your goods ” the leaflet continued, ** but we will onen your ports to trade, as we are doing in Irak. V'e come as friends, armed only against a common enemy. The Germans prey on conquered peoples like starving locusts. If the Germans had had time to secure a hold on Iran before the arrival of the British troops they, to hinder our advance, would have destroyed your cattle, burned yoar crops and turned Iran into a desert. From such a fate we are saving you, as we saved Irak and Syria.

“ Soldiers of Iran, we are marching into your country as your friends. doing nothing against your country's well-being or freedom. All we want to do is to keep out the accused Germans. Our greeting to you is, * Peace we with you.’ I.et your reply be, 4 And on you be peace’.” German Influence in Iran Evidence of German influence in Iran is provided by a Simla communique, which reveals that two captured anti-tank guns proved to be of the latest Skoda manufacture. The communique states : The Shah has ordered his forces to cease hostilities and the Iranian envoys have met our forward troops with this information. In the northern sector British and Indian troops pushing on from Shahabad on Thursday were met by a flag of truce from the Iranian army which had retired to Kermanshah. The Iranian commander offered to withdraw his troops and surrender the town if given until September 1, but our commander, having information from a prisoner that the Germans in Kermanshah had been advising the Iranians on defence plans, rightly refused to accept such delay and insisted that the Iranians should withdraw from their defensive positions by successive stages, starting immediately. It is significant that during the previous day’s action two anti-tank guns captured intact with ammun ; ticn proved to be of the latest Skoda manufacture. In the southern sector Indian infantry continued to advance up both banks of the Karun River to Aiiwaz, which is now in our hands. Royal Air Force fighters provided air protection for our forward troops during these operations. A new Russian column is reported to have reached Dilman, west of Lake Urmia. Their southward advance is continuing. Provision of Food The local inhabitants have been complaining that Iranian troops have been begging for food from them owing to their rations being short. Our policy is to assist the Iran people by providing foodstuffs to lessen the general shortage existing throughout the country. For a start arrangements have been made to send about 700 tons of wheat into the area which we have occupied in Southern Iran. Britisli-Russian-Iran Agreement

Commenting on the “sober counsels which have now prevailed in Iran,” the Daily Telegraph states that the conciliatory tone adopted by the new Government will be warmly welcomed in London and Moscow, 44 whose only desire was to safeguard their interests with minimum loss alike to the Iranian people and themselves.” In a forecast of the terms of the agreement between Iran, Britain and Russia, the Daily Telegraph states: “It is clear that the minimum terms acceptable to the two Allies must include the expulsion of Nazis and the continued occupation of key positions by British and Russian troops. Too much is at stake in Iran to permit of our taking any further risks. It seems that a few hours after the Allied troops crossed the frontier the Shah was already offering to expel Nazis within a week provided the advance was halted.

“Obviously there could be no question of our stopping operations at that point. The Shah had had many months in which to deal with this fifth column menace, but had obstinately rejected every representation. When at last we were reluctantly compelled to resort to forceable measures there could be no going back.

“For the duration of the war against Hitler the occupying forces will remain in Iran to guarantee the immunity of the country from Nazi domination and to protect our own vital interests, including especially the communications between Russia and the Persian Gulf. It may be assumed that the occupation will be restricted to the smallest area and the fewest number of troops necessary to secure these ends.” Advance of Russians A Russian communique states: The Red Army in Iran yesterday occupied Urmia, Meraghe, Brandah Shahpur and Gorgan, and their advance continues. The Iranians are offering no resistance. The Berlin radio says the British entry into Iran will be followed by a march into Afghanistan. Soviet newspapers solemnly reitterate the promise of the Soviet Union to respect the independence and territorial integrity of Iran against Russia and Britain were simultaneously aimed at reducing Iran to the role of a Nazi vassal, the newspaper Pravda said that the joint Soviet and British action dealt a serious blow to Hitler’s plans.” The paper added that from now on Iranian independence can be considered safe. PEACE TERMS DISCUSSED BRITAIN. RUSSIA, IRAN HANDING OVER GERMANS (L.iited Press As~n.— Klee. Tel. copynynti LONDON, August 29 There is no news of any opposition to toe Britl-h -:J Russian forces’ ad-

vance in Iran since the cease fire order yesterday. A message from Teheran states that the Germans at the Embassy are busily engaged destroying incriminating documents. It is reported from Ankara that Britain, Russia and Iran are discussing peace terms, including the joint British-Russian occupation of all strategically vital points, but excluding Teheran. Britain and Russia will guarantee to observe and defend Iran’s territorial integrity and independence, and will guarantee not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs. All Germans are to be handed over to the occupying forces. Compensation is to be paid to Iran for the loss of life and property during the occupation. Britain and Russia are also to give economic assistance to Iran. Calm prevails in Teheran, except among the Germans, who have closed their buinesses and taken refuge in the German Embassy, where all documents are being burned. The Allies’ demands on Iran, according to the Daily Telegraph, will include the handing over of all fifth columnists, the adoption of a policy helpful to the Allies, the free use of ports, railways and rivers, ar.d an undisturbed Row of oiL