In the Treaty entered into in January, 1942, between Russia,
Great Britain and Persia, the territorial integrity of the latter country was expressly guaranteed. At the Tehran Conference of December, 1943, it was stipulated that all foreign troops should be withdrawn from Persian territory six months after the conclusion of the war, a date which, at M. Molotov's request, was subsequently ex- tended to March, 1946. The organisation of a revolutionary and perhaps separatist movement in Azerbaijan is a violation of these engagements. It would seem indeed that the Kremlin authorities are themselves somewhat embarrassed by the predicament which they have created. In transmissions for abroad the Moscow wire- less dismissed the Azerbaijan rebellion as a fabrication of the B.B.C.; on the very same day, on their home service, the Moscow broad- casters were describing the rapid and glorious progress of the Persian revolution. Inevitably such action and such untruthfulness causes suspicion and disquiet both in Persia and abroad. In discussing such matters one is faced with the problem which arises whenever one mentions relations between the Soviet Government and their Western Allies. If one does not state the facts, one is allowing the fog of imputation to persist. If one does state the facts, then one is accused of fomenting suspicion or even of being an enemy of the Soviets. I have frequently been asked why, having been a fierce opponent of the appeasement of Hitler, I should advocate the appeasement of the U.S.S.R. My explanation is as follows. I regarded Nazi ambitions as unlimited and aimed at the eventual subjugation of this country ; I regard Soviet ambitions as exorbitant but not unlimited. Being determinists, they believe that war between Russia and the West is one day inevitable, and they are taking all precautions while the going is good ; but as I do not regard such a war as inevitable, and in fact believe it to be most improbable, I conceive it to be a wise policy to eschew all indignation and to practise understanding, sympathy and patience.
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