'Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan. Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic Movements and connected Information.' [‎326v] (2/16)

1^048. M. 3rd November. Common talk at Merv that one of Suric’s immediate
aims, the details of which are to be arranged in Kabul, is to bribe the Afghans
with a large slice of East Persia, to join in an effort to drive the British out of
Persia.
#** K.—1\ Suric’s Mission left Kushk for
System of couriers between the Mission and
C.C.kX X. 443. M., 9th November.
Herat and Kabul 6th November.
Tashkend to be arranged.
1526 I; X-' llth November. Cavalry escort sent from Herat to meet Suric Mission at
Nushk.
* # # T. M., 4th November. Message from Suric to Karakhan, indicates that Mahendra
ratap, who left Moscow with Suric, was with him in Tashkend, and is going on
ahead to the lurkestan frontier.
Suggestion is made by Suric that it was a mistake to send Bravin to Kabul
before himself.
***9th November Suric “ is taking the Hindus ” with him (i.e., Mahendra Pratap and
th ® < fi T r T st Mian Mission" see Issue I, § I, D.M.L, 0164/4530 of 21st August,
and § III. C.G.S.—D.M.I., X. 322', M., 5th October).
Suiic is to have Bravin s Mission under his orders, under the revised arrano-e-
ments for control of Central Asian policy ; Bravin’s Mission not to conclude any
treaty with Afghanistan pending Suric’s arrival.
15338. M., 9th November. Objects of Suric’s Mission rumoured to be discussion of
whole situation with Amir Amanulla, and arrangements for supply of aeroplanes
with material and plant, and for local manufacture of munitions of all sorts. Large
numbers of servants, baggage animals, &c., with escort of 100 cavalry waiting to
meet Suric on the frontier. 6
15500 M.,14th November. Suric arrived in Herat, llth November, with a party of
1» m all and accompanied by Mirza Mahomet Khan, 2 Afghan colonels, and
- erat shrine custodians. On orders from Kabul, extraordinary honours paid •
salute of 60 guns fired ; Jirga, accompanied by all local Mullahs and Khans, and
the whole garrison met the Mission, which went in procession to banquet at Char
lo540. V., 18th November. Bravin reported to be still in Kabul on 5th November.
1564 S. M., 16th November From W/T intercepts, 16th November, it appears certain
Bravin was still m Kabul on that date.
Mahendra Pratap reported to have told Colonel Bailey in Tashkend that if he
did not succeed in his aims in Kabul he would go to China to “ study religions ”
(r start propaganda in China).
15710. V., 21st November. Suric delayed in Herat up to 13th November owing to
arrangements for journey to Kabul, including provision of large escort, not being
completed : had had a long interview with the Governor of Herat.
3’t 60 ; 1 6th November. *** O.—M. Zornmin appointed representative
for lurkestan attached to plenipotentiary representative in Afghanistan (i e Suric)
M^imana reP ° rtS indicate that Mamin is to be ( ? Bolshevik) Consul at
15820. V., 24th November. Military circles in Herat said to be displeased with
reception accorded to Suric s Mission. Suric has, it is said, brought four boxes of
paper money and one mule load of gold coin. (c/. § IX. N # * # 9th November, and
16154. V 1st December. Whole Suric party is reported to have left Herat for Kabul
on 18th November ; composition of party is given as colonel, doctor, secretary,
lawyer all Russians; 1 German, 3 Austrians, 14 Cossacks and 3 Indians, latter
being Mohendra I artab, Maulvi Abdur Kauf and a Madrasi (? Brahman) Hindu.
Suric is described as Russian Jew. Reports indicate that party may proceed via
Maimana and Mazan Sharif, m which case journey would take two months.
Suric endeavoured to ingratiate himself in Herat by presents to shrines and
promises of proht of trade relations. He presented Governor with Order of Red