File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎684v] (1016/1080)

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expatiated on the delight they experienced at getting rid of their own Amir
and wished the Afghans similar good fortune. After a lunch given by the
Naib Salar on the 3rd instant the military officers stated their conviction that
the envoy was an out-and-out Bolshevik. And that his speeches both at Herat
I an( j on pi s further journey "were calculated to have the worst effect on the
lower classes and particularly on the soldiers, and they approached the Naib-
ul-Hukumah with a request to restrain the activities of so pestilent an
individual. _ _ .i
(2) The two Bussian couriers left for Kabul vta Kandahar on the 29th
January, and the Afridis, with a Bajauri in possession of German and
Turkish decorations, two days later for the same destination.
(3) Gold medals for “ good and honest service ” were
Tajir Bashi and another official by the Naib-ul-Hukumah
Amir.
52. Military .—Colonel Fakir Ahmad Khan has been transferred from
command of the Kotwali battalion to that of the Jadidi Herati.
presented to the
on behalf of the
Russian Turkistan.
53. Current events .—A report from Skobelev relating to the end of
January throws some doubt on the probability of a settlement with the Sarts
who, under Shir Muhammad, are determined to secure complete independence at
all costs. The informant had heard of the informal negotiations carried on by a
Kazi at Adijan, but weary though they are of continual fighting the prevailing
belief of the Sarts is that Bolshevism is contrary to Islam and they are unlikely
to submit to Bolshevist administration.
(2) Several reports state that demobilisation of men over 30 has now been
announced. There is still, however, no indication of the fulfilment of the
promise at any centre. Troops at Merv are said to be quite contented with
their lot in the assurance of early release, and if the Bolsheviks go back on their
word they may not improbably find this particular breach of faith more
severely punished than others have been in the past.
(3) There has been a sharp change of tone in reports of the most recently
delivered speeches on the subject of Persia. The Bolsheviks are evidently
very dissatisfied with the delay in the conclusion of the agreement which they
have already regarded as a fait accompli, and are now working on the Persians
fears by threats of invasion—-not as previously hinted at in Persia’s own
interest—but as a punishment for disobedience to the edicts of the Soviet
; republic. This minatory tone has only recently been adopted and other
speakers extol the devoted work of their agents in Persia and particularly
in Khorasan, which, in spite of its pro-British Governor-General will be the
first province to declare the Soviet “ perhaps wdthout the assistance of Bed
Bayonets
At a Merv meeting an Indian speaker declared that Indian administration
is a hundred times worse than the late Imperial Bussian government, and that
all patriotic or self-respecting Indians end their days in prison or on the
gallows.
There is talk of the reforming of the Adalat party and one Meshedi
Basul with 3 Persian assistants has arrived from Baku with this end in
view.
There are reports of Khuddu’s presence at Askhabad, the correctness of
which is probably doubtful. There is little doubt, however, of the presence
of his brother Allah Verdi and of his activity in the recruiting line. It is far
from improbable that Khuddu may be utilised as a spur to hasten the signature
of the desired agreement.
Mehr Ali has been absolved from suspicion and released, but has been
given no office. He is once more, apparently independently, recruiting men
at Merv for the invasion of Persia. Spy fever at Merv is most acute and some
25 unfortunates arrested as British spies are paraded through the place.
Ashraf Beg is now the most active successor to Mehr Ali.