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'Middle East. Turco-Bolshevik Activities: Note by Political Intelligence Officer attached to India Office.' [‎85v] (4/8)

The record is made up of 1 file (4 folios). It was created in 10 Dec 1920. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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4
After Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. had submitted his report to Moscow on the negotiations with
the different Nationalist parties in Switzerland, the Soviet Government definitely made
up its mind actively to support the Eastern movement, but only in so far as it
coincided or assisted their own aims. The Soviet Government will support no
movement that will not acknowledge the Soviet system.
11. No clearer proof of the real aims of the Soviet Government as illustrated
above had been given than the following extract of a telegram dated 2nd March 1920
from Tchitcherin to Eliava, Tashkent, for communication to the commissarv of the
Caucasus district:—
“ (3) We have no intention of encouraging Turkish Imperialism.
“ (4) It is impossible to permit Turkish military experts such as the violent
imperialist Nuri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to enter Caucasian Mussulman districts.
“ (o) Pan-Ielamism, as a counter-revolutionary force, is dangerous to us, in spite
of its evident desire to conform itself to Communism, ami sooner or later
we will have to light against it."
The above instructions explain the treaty between the Anatolian Nationalists and
the Soviet Government; it seeks to safeguard itself by converting Islamism to
Communism. Therefore every effort is being made to convert the Nationalist
Government of Anatolia Peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey. into a Soviet Government. This process is not confined to-
Anatolia Peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey. , but is followed with all countries with which Russia has dealings. As an
example of this policy to convert Islam, it might also be of interest to cpiote extracts
from a telegram sent by Safaroff to Moscow some time in March 1920 :—
c: Thb example given to the East, and one which all should copy, will be the
Turks’ example of free Communist institutes. It is essential, therefore, that
the following reforms be introduced into Turkestan :—
“ (1) Equal rights for all parties.
“ (G) Education and enlightenment in Proletarian lines.
“ (7) Elimination of spiritual nationality.
“ (9) The formation of special departments for directing propaganda
and agitation work. This last is, for all independent political centres,
one of the most important matters.”
Compare the- points with those in the treaty between Moscow and Angora.
12. We may sum up Bolshevik policy, therefore, briefly as follows:—Great
Britain, forming, in their opinion, the main barrier to the emancipation of the world
and to the institution of a universal Soviet regime, must be destroyed ; this mav be
done by detaching India from the Empire. As India cannot be taken by a direct
assault, it is necessary, as a preliminary step, to create Soviets right up to the Indian
borders, and by intensive propaganda in India itself, to create an internal situation that
will weaken the Imperial might, which may be still further reduced by anti-militarist
propaganda in Europe, and in England in particular. It is part of their policy to use
Islam in so far as it may be utilised in an anti-British sense, but to disorganise it by
creating national States, and still further by converting Islamism into Sovietism.*
13. Ihere are, however, still more sinister designs, emanating from Trotsky,
becoming still more apparent in Bolshevik foreign politics. It must be borne in mind
that the whole Soviet system depends on the army. There are increasing indications
that the Germans or certain sections in Germany have a most powerful influence in
Russia. 1 here appears to be good reason for suspecting that Trotsky, assisted by the
German element, has most ambitious schemes of conquest. How far these are
approved by Lenin it is at present difficult to say, but they undoubtedly do exist.
Whether these plans are capable of any sort of success is again a question of most
careful enquiry, and a iurther report will shortly be submitted. In the meantime it
is sufficient to call attention to the above, and emphasise the fact that the vast army
Russia now has at her disposal constitutes for the State itself no inconsiderable danger
A copj' of a valuable document is printed in the appendix to this memorandum, giving instruc
tions as to what is to be done in Peorgia; it provides a striking example of Bolshevik methods
not only in Georgia, but in Anatolia Peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey. : most of the instructions advocate methods already in force in the
latter country.

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Content

A political note in five sections, entitled:

  • The Turkish Unionists (C.U.P.) [Committee of Union and Progress]
  • The Bolshevik Attitude
  • Armenia
  • The Anatolian Nationalists
  • Conclusion

The author, Major Norman Napier Evelyn Bray, discusses the political motivations and relationships of the major forces in Central Asia and the Caucasus, and suggests that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk be strengthened lest the Bolsheviks seize control of the region.

An appendix reproduces a Bolshevik document which gives instructions to develop Bolshevik propaganda and institutions in Georgia.

Extent and format
1 file (4 folios)
Arrangement

This file consists of a note divided into five sections (ff 84-87), followed by an appendix (f 87)

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at folio 84 and terminates at folio 87; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located at the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Middle East. Turco-Bolshevik Activities: Note by Political Intelligence Officer attached to India Office.' [‎85v] (4/8), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B360, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100029480031.0x000005> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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