ALLIED NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1941, Page 5

ALLIED NOTES

ACTION TAKEN UNDER TREATIES DIRECTED ONLY AGAINST GERMANS. GUARANTEE OF INTEGRITY OF IRAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) I LONDON, August 25. Prior to the British and Russian action against Iran, Notes were handed to the Iranian Minister in Moscow. It was announced that both Governments had taken the action jointly. • The Moscow radio has given details of the Notes handed to the Iranian Minister by M. Molotov and Sir Stafford Cripps. Moscow says that the Russian action was taken under the Sovie.tIranian Treaty of 1921, which permitted Russian troops to march into Iran if that country was being used as a base for hostile action. > The Russian Government was aware that German agents were active in Iran in organising and arming troops with the object of starting unrest, especially in that part of the country adjoining the Baku oilfields. The Germans were in possession of explosives and were preparing a coup d’etat. j The Moscow radio says that an iden- j tical Note was handed to the Iranian i Minister by Sir Stafford Cripps. I The Notes contained assurances that the measures taken would be of a temporary character and were not designed against the people of Iran, but against the Germans. The troops will be withdrawn as soon as the dangers are removed and the integrity of Iran safeguarded. The Moscow announcement of the action taken stated that Britain and the Soviet Union have “thereby opened up the Caspian front.” The action was taken following an unsatisfactory reply by Iran to the second formal Anglo-Soviet representations. The Iranian Legation in London made no statement this morning on the latest development. BRITISH INTIMATION NO BREAK IN RELATIONS DESIRED. ACTION SOLELY AGAINST GERMANS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, August 25. Prior to the enery of British troops into Iran Sir Reader Bullard, the British Ambassador in Teheran, acting on instructions from London, handed the Iranian authorities, at an early hour in the morning, a Note expressing the views of the British Government upon the Iran communication and notifying Iran that Britain therefore felt obliged to take appropriate measures to safeguard her own vital interests and those of her friends and to deal with the menace arising from the activities of enemy agents in Iran. Imperial forces had, therefore, entered Persia temporarily, with this object in view. As soon as military conditions permit these forces will be withdrawn entirely from Persian territory. It is emphasised in London that the British military action in Persia is directed exclusively against the Germans. Britain is not at war with Persia and diplomatic relations have not been broken. The British Minister will continue his functions at Teheran and the Iranian Minister remains in London. The future status of the British relationship with Iran depends upon the Persian Government. The direction of the entry of British forces into Iran is from the south, while the Russians have entered from the Caucasus, it is learned authoritatively in London. No details are forthcoming regarding the operations, and in fact it is not yet known here whether the Iranians are offering any resistance. The British military operations are being conducted under General Sir Archibald Wavell’s Indian command.