Evening star., 1942-06-05
People Of Iran Praise
Manner Of Russia's
Occupation Army
TroditionolIy Suspicious
Country Watched Over
By Only Token Force
By A. r. STEELE,

by "A. i. . EELE,
Foreign Correspondent OF The Star and
Chicago Daily News.
BAGHDAD, June 5.-The Rus
sian Army of Occupation in North
ern Iran has set an example of
discipline and restraint which could
not be bettered by the troops of any
other power. I travelled through
the Russian zone from Pahlevi, on
the Persian Gulf, to Teheran, capi-
tai of Iran, and inquired whenever
opportunity offered about Soviet
behavior. Invariably the testimony
ran along these lines:
Russian soldiers are sober and
courteous. They neither mix nor
interfere with the local population.
The Russians only direct control is
over the lines of transportation
and supply along which they main
tain checking stations. They are
neither staggering nor arrogant
and live in the utmost simplicity.
Breaches of discipline among the
Russian troops are promptly and
severely punished by their own au-
thorities."
This testimony comes grudgingly
from the IranianS, who are tradl-
tionally suspicious and afraid OF
their powerful neighbor and had
expected the Russians to pursue
the same policy of Sovietization
they employed in Poland and the
Baltic states. They still fear that
the exemplary Russian behavior
may only be temporary phe-
nomenon.
Soviet Army Is Token Force.
The Soviet Army in Northern Iran
Is little more than token force
and is spread through a narrow
zone along the entire northern
frontier, including such cities as
Tabriz, Pahlevi and Nahshed, with
a small group controlling the air
port at Teheran.
At Pahlevl I disembarked from
my Soviet ship onto an 1ranian
dock piled high with packing cases
full of American canned pork, des-
hned for Russia. During my ZOO
mile automobile drive from Pahlevi
to Teheran saw no more than 20
Soviet soldiers.
The Russians had moved into this
area with practically no resistance
after dropping a few demonstration
bombs on the outskirts OF several
bigger towns The drive to Teheran
along the marvelously lush south
ern shore of the Caspian, through
q mile long tunnel, 10000 feet above
the sea. in the Snow-crested Elburz
Mountains and down into the in
crediby parched plain around the
Iranian capital, was full of interest.
Throughout the zone traversed,
the life of the Iranians goes on in
normal fashion. Arab caravans OF
donkeys and camelS ply the high
ways. Mosques which silhouette the
skyline draw the usual throngs of
worshippers.
Unlimited Purchases.
Teheran is a small city, but after
nine months in Bolshevik Russia I
felt like Alice in Wonderland in
this strange new capitalist world. 1t
seemed unbelievable that the fruits,
vegetables, canned goods and Amer
lean and English gadgets, even
cigarettes, displayed in profusion on
the shelves of the Iranian mer-
chants, could be purchased in any
amount by anybody who could pay.
There were service stations which
sold gas in any amounts. hotels
with bathtubs for every room. res
taurants where you could order any
thing and get it, jazz bands and
brilliant illumination.
The first reaction was one of
pleasure, but it quickly changed to
bewilderment. For 1t was evident
that there were yet plenty Of people
who had no conception of what
fighting a life and death war en-
tails in the way of sacrifices. This
is one thing the Russians know, in
that part of Teheran that is in the
unoccupied zone between the areas
assigned to the Russian and British
forces. From Teheran southwark,
the railways transport lines are
managed by the British and further
aIRVI