'Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan. Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic Movements and connected Information.' [‎327r] (3/16)

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II.—Afghan Missions to Bokhara and Khiva.
16048. V., 26th November. A report from Kabul states that Ghulam Mahammad
Khan, who was one of the Afghan Peace delegates, left Kabul with 100 followers on
13th November; destination believed Bokhara, (c/. Issue I. § II. 14794.)
HI.—Intrigues at and with Tashkend: Organisation of
Bolshevik Executive.
W .N. 3rd November. Propaganda Message from Moscow strongly deprecating
the criticisms of the Mussulman section of the Turkestan Communist Party by
the former Turkestan Government; denying that the section was composedvof
bourgeois adventurers, and upholding the New Turkestan’s policy for the improve
ment of Soviet construction (among Mohammedan communities) based on trust of
the Mussulman proletariat.
Message from Suric at Tashkend to Karakhan, Chief of Eastern Department,
Moscow, 4th November. Suric reports that prior to his arrival in October no
considered Eastern policy had been conducted in the Turkestan Republic, whose
relations with Bokhara and Khiva had been of a casual (?’.e., not fully considered)
nature, strained by a series of tactless and thoughtless acts tending to strengthen
Bokhara and Khiva’s long-standing and deep rooted mistrust of Russia. The
harm done, can only be repaired by a new policy conducted in the name and spirit
of the (Central Government at Moscow.
As a result of Suric’s presence a firm military (see below 15567) and
diplomatic base of the Central Government has been formed.
As a result of the Soviet and party meetings held while Suric was in
Tashkend, the Separatist party has been defeated, and replaced in power, by the
supporters of union with the Central Government.
The President of the Turkestan Central Executive Committee has, with
Suric’s help, arranged that the Turkestan Commissariat for Foreign Affairs
Eliava shall be subordinate to the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs
(i.e., in Moscow).
Ditto, ditto, 9th November.
Suric further comments on the unsatisfactory way in which foreign affairs
have hitherto been handled from Tashkend, the agents of the Turkestan Republic
having been given the mandate of plenipotentiary representatives [? of Bolshevik
Russia]. It has now been decreed by the Central Executive Committee (of
Tashkend) that foreign policy be directed by instructions from the Central
Government; as a consequence the representatives of the Turkestan Republic,
members of Bravin’s Mission, should be subordinate to Suric, and should not
complete any treaty with Afghanistan pending his arrival.
15567. M., 16th November. Agent from Bokhara reports that staff of Bolshevik
Fifth Army reached Tashkend from Orenburg. Chief of the Staff, Fifth Army,
formerly Colonel of General Staff in Imperial Army.
W.N., 326. *** Message 15th November from Eliava, President of the Tashkend
Commission to the People’s Commissary for Foreign Affairs, Moscow :—
The Turkestan Commission considers the presence of Professor Barkatulla
in Tashkend desirable, and requests steps to be taken for his immediate journey
to Turkestan.
W.N., 329, 21st November. Message from Karakhan, Eastern Department of
People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, Moscow, to Eliava, plenipotentiary of
the Soviet of People’s Commissaries, at Tashkend, 19th November :—
Kindly forward copies of all our instructions to Suric. We intend to place
at your disposal several persons possessing knowledge of English ; state whether
you are in need of them. Inform Suric that he is to send information more
frequently, also send us as detailed information as possible yourself.