Coll 28/18 ‘Persia; Diaries; Meshed intelligence Summaries 1931–’ [‎24v] (48/299)

2
A,
X
to arrange to hold another demonstration
of Soviet agricultural machinery in the
autumn when he promised that the latest
Soviet tractors would also be shown.
Following this demonstration M. Skaloff
held an “ At Home ” at the Soviet
Consulate. At this entertainment, which
lasted from 4-30 to 8-30 P.M., the guests
were treated to a “ stand up ” supper and
a cinema performance. • The band of the
Shah pur Regiment was in attendance.
6. Turkomans and the League of Nations.
—An individual named Sakhi Ishan,
who states he is a delegate specially sent
by a council of 20 Turkoman elders claim
ing to represent 175,000 Turkoman families;
has arrived in Meshed... This individual
is in possession of a letter addressed to the
League of Nations and signed by these 20
Turkoman elders appealing to the League
for assistance and deliverance of the
Turkoman nation from Soviet oppression.
As this delegate is without a ‘passport he
is likely to meet with considerable difficul
ties in carrying out his mission, namely
of proceeding from Meshed to Geneva
and delivering his letter in person to the
Council of the League of Nations.-
7. Expulsion of Samoiloff .—Please refer
to my Summary No. 5, paragraph 3.
Samoiloff who has been living in Meshed
has now been notified by the local authori
ties that in accordance with instructions
received from Tehran he is to leave Persian
territory within seven days. No reason
has been given him for this sudden decision
arrived at by the Persian Government to
expel Samoiloff from Persia, but it is
believed that Agabekoff’s disclosures are
mainly responsible for this drastic step.
It is probable that Samoiloff will now
proceed to Tehran where he will apply
to His Britannic Majesty’s Legation for
permission for himself and his wife to
proceed to Baghdad.
(c) French Affairs.
8 . The Citroen Expedition, referred to in
paragraph 7 of Summary No. 9 of Military
Attache, Tehran, arrived in Meshed from
Tehran on the 12th .May and left for
Herat on the 17th May. The Governor
General arranged a Garden Party on the
14th May in honour of M. Haardt, the ^
leader of the expedition, and his party.
It is reported that before leaving Meshed
the expedition presented the local police 1
authorities with a cheque for Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value.
300 which, however, was not accepted and
politely returned.
II. —Herat.
Nil
' III.— Central Asiatic Republics.
9. The information given below has been
received from Charjui and is dated the
29th April 1931.
(?‘) Basmachi activities in Khiva. —A
Basmachi band, said to be 400 strong,
well equipped and mounted, has appeared
in the vicinity of Khiva. These Basmachi
are reported to be not only operating
against Government forces but are also
calling upon the native inhabitants to rise
against the Government.
*
(ii) Opposition against “ Collectivism ” in
Khiva. —-Reports have reached Charjui from
Khiva and Tashauz that a serious conflict
has arisen in those districts between the
native farmers and the authorities over
the question of “Collectivism’’. It is
reported that 4 native leaders were execut
ed in Khiva on or about the 18th April and
that 20 “ Kulaki ” had been brought to
Charjui from Tashauz.
10. Unrest in Kizil Arvat Area. —Reports
as yet unconfirmed, have reached Meshed
to the effect that unrest among Turko
mans, residing in Kizil Arvat area, has
broken out—details are lacking.
L. STEVENI, Major,
British Military Attache, Meshed.
To
The I>: D.’M. L, N. H. Q., Simla.
Distribution —
As usual.
MC2I0FD—25—24-6-31—GIPS