Private
 
                                        February 29, 1944.
 
 
Dear Winston:-
 
                 The enclosed memorandum was sent to me by Major General Patrick Hurley (former
Secretary of War) whom you saw at Teheran.
 
                 This is for your eyes only. I rather like his general approach to the care and education
of what used to be called "backward countries". From your and my personal observation I think
we could add something about cleanliness as well.
 
                 The point of all this is that I do not want the United States to acquire a "zone of
influence" -- or any other nation for that matter. Iran certainly needs Trustees. It will take thirty or
forty years to eliminate the graft and the feudal system. Until that time comes, Iran may be a
headache to you, to Russia and to ourselves.
 
                 You will remember that I suggested to Stalin that a free port could be set up at the
head of the Persian Gulf, the management of the railroad internationalized, providing a through
route for Russia and for the developing areas of Iran herself.
 
                 Would you let me have this copy back, as I have no other?
 
                         With my warm regards,
 
                         As ever yours,
 
 
 
Honorable Winston S. Churchill, 
Prime ~nister of Great Britain, 
London,
England.
 
(Enclosure)