Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-03-13
MAP on Page Al
By Joseph Goodwin

By Joseph Goodwin :.
Associated Press Foreign Correspondent
TEHERAN, Iran, Mar. 49,
Russian combat troops in full
campaign kit were declared by
British and other official sources
today to have closed within &c
miles of this capital and to be
moving southwest across North
ern Iran close to the borders OF
Turkey and Iraq.
The reports caused Secretary OF
State Byrnes to announce in Wash
ington last night the dispatch oil
another note to Moscow demanding
an explanation.
This correspondent few over Ka-
raj, 20 miles from Teheran, and
counted IA Sherman tanks, score
of other vehicles and saw half q
dozen Red fighter planes at Kazvir
to the north.
No Agreements in Moscow.
Premier Ahmed Qavam Els Salta-
neh, just returned from inconclusive
negotiations in Moscow over the
continued presence of Russian
troops in Iran, declared today that
no agreements were reached.
Reports reaching this troubled
capital told of Russian combat
troops entering the towns of Mianeh
Maraghen and Miyanduab, close to
the southern end of Lake Urima
near the Turkish and Irao borders.
Russian troops were obligated by
international agreement to have
withdrawn by March 2. Instead,
there we're reports of large Red army
reinforcenents moving into Iran.
Both Iraq and Iran are rich In
oil. Iran is the worlds fourth largest
producer.
Gravity of Situation Worse.
In London British Foreign Of
fee spokesman said the British
government had received reports of
considerable" Russian troop move
ments toward the Iranian capital of
Teheran and as a result the gravity
of a tense situation had been in
creased.
The spokesman said, however,
that BrHain's major consideration,
still was the continued presence of
Red Army troops in Iran, in what
hescalled a breach" of the Anglo
Soviet-Iranian treaty of 1912.
Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin
told the House of Commons he
would prefer not to make a state
ment on the situation at this time
Disclosing that the British gov
eminent first received the reports Of
Russian troop movements on March
4, two days after the treaty dead
line for withdrawal, the spokesman
said his information conceded with
that received by the American State
Department.
Russian cavalry units were being
replaced by armored units, he said
and were moving from Tabriz to-
ward Teheran and also toward the
Iraq frontier.
Movements Unexplained.
Although Iraq, a former British
mandate, was recognized as indie.
pendent IN 1922, Britain has specia.
interests there and British-Ir
treaty Of alliance was made in 1882
The spokesman said these troop
movements still were unexplained BY
the Russian government, but Britain
was pressing for a reply" to the
British demand for an explanation
of the continued presence OF Rec
Army forces in the country.
Mr.. Bevin was reported to have
instructed Britain's charge d'affaires
in Moscow, Frank Roberts, to tell
the Kremlin the British government
INSISTS" on an immediate explana-
ton.
Leftist Party Active
Leftist agitation has been evident
In Iran and some political observers
expressed belief that the Russian
moves near the capital might be
planned to create unrest and re-
hellion" in Teheran, as in the north
ern Province of Azerbaijan. The
leftist Tudeh party has been espe-
cially active in Teheran the past
week.
Russian interest in Turkey has
been expressed in at least two
phases. Russia has demanded that
Turkey cede to Russia the Black Sea
Provinces of Kars and Ardahan
The Russians also are reported tc
have demanded bases in the Darda-
nelles.
No Negotiations Under Way.
Premier Ahmed Qavam said in ar
interview with foreign correspond
entS that no negotiations are now
under way with the Russians.
II have protested in writing tx
the Sovies government concerning
the continued presence of Russian
troops in Iran, and made similar
protest orally to Stalin," the Pre-.
fnier said. He spoke in Persian witt
Prince Firouz. Minister OF State anc
Propaganda, acting as interpreter
Qavam described as ridiculous
reports circulated duri1g his visit
to Moscow that he agreed to six
Soviet demands which were reported
to have included the incorporation
of Azerbaijan into the Soviet Union,
granting of Oil concessions to RUS
STA and direction OF the Iranian
Army by Russian officers.
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