891.00/2049½: Telegram
The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—3:51 p.m.]
831. Department’s 398, August 7.
1. Arrests. British Minister informs me he will shortly request Iranian Government to arrest some 30 Iranians alleged to have engaged in pro-German activities. He has delivered to Iranian Government the note requesting arrest of Deputy Nobakht and is awaiting [Page 376] developments (see my 818, August 7 [8]. Copy of note being sent Department airmail).
After mature thought and based to large extent on considerations given in concluding section of this telegram I have come to conclusion that we should not oppose the arrests but should suggest to Iranians if they approach us the overriding military necessity of restraining persons who have obstructed or are potentially harmful to war effort. However, British should be required to support each request by obviously authentic documents of highly convincing nature. Since Mayer documents will form main basis for arrests it is suggested Department have these documents carefully examined by experts.
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