Coll 28/18 ‘Persia; Diaries; Meshed intelligence Summaries 1931–’ [‎84r] (167/299)

5
(—
^ Meshed Intelligence Summary No. 12 lor the period ending 25th August 1932.
^7 ^
I. —Khorasan.
'Nil.
II. —Central Asian Soviet Republics.
1. Samkhs. —Reference Meshed Intelli
gence Summary No. 10, paragraph II 4 :
The information contained in the above
mentioned paragraph has been authorita
tively confirmed.
A refugee mason who left Sarakhs
early this month gives the following in
formation :—
' (a) Garrison —
Infantry .. .. .. 1,500
Cavalry .. .. .. 700
There is some artillery but particulars are
not known. Detachments from Sarakhs
have also been sent to Pul-i-Khatun.
On the 15th of July a party of some 350
masons and labourers arrived from Merv;
construction of new barracks was started
immediately. In the meanwhile most of
the troops are under canvas.
On July 19th, 6 heavy lorry loads of
stores and material arrived from the di
rection of Tejend.
Early in August, just prior to informant’s
departure, a further 300 workmen arrived.
Extensive purchases of barley and wheat
are being made in Persian Sarakhs, and a
supply dump is being formed.
(6) Aerodrome. —There is a small aero
drome some 2 miles North West of the town
on the Tejend road. There is. a hangar
and a small detachment there. One
aeroplane (brought from Merv) is kept
permanently there.
2. Termez. —Informant left Termez on
11th August.
(a) Garrison —
9th Infantry Regiment. (Arrived \\
months ago in relief of another
Regiment. (Fort Garrison).
14th Infantry Regiment.
15th Infantry Regiment.
11th Pontoon Battalion.
A Sapper Battalion.
5th Battery.
A Battery.
81st Cavalry Regiment.
The 47th Frontier Guards have the line
inclusive Kerki-Kelif exclusive Termez.
The 48th are from inclusive Termez
fic, T-ai Kamar to the Pamirs.
Armament as in Meshed Intelligence Sum
mary No. 6, paragraph 7.
{b) Conscription. —Conscription started
on July 15th. There are at present some
1,500 recruits in Termez, for the training of
whom a party of officers has been sent from
Tashkent.
(c) Reservists. —Reservists between the
ages of 35—45 have been warned to report
to their respective centres on 10th October.
(d) Recruiting of women. —This is con
tinuing ; a further 300 women have been
enrolled. They have been issued with uni
form and are being trained. The officers
are also women.
(e) Aerodrome. —Informant confirms in
formation given in Meshed Intelligence
Summary No. 6, paragraph 7.
(f) Bridge construction. —Informant con
firms generally the information given in
Summary 11, paragraph II 4 c (i). Material
for a “ Pukka ” bridge has been collected,
but the Afghans have definitely vetoed
the project. He gives the total of pontoons
of all kinds at Termez at 30.
(g) Survey Parties.—(Vide Summary No.
11, paragraph II 4 (d). The land survey
party has completed its work in the Termez
area and has gone to Dushambe.
(h) Inland water Transport .—Informant
confirms Summary No. 6, paragraph 7 {g).
{i) Soviet Intrigue in Afghanistan .—
There is a special propaganda branch of the
G.P.U. at Termez in charge of pro-Amanullah
activities. Despatch and distribution of
pamphlets, etc., in Afghanistan is under
taken mostly by Afghans.
(j) Persians and Afghans in Termez .—A i
number of Persian and Afghan subjects
have up till now been employed as coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. ,
etc., in Termez. These have now been
given the alternative either of becoming
Russian subjects or of leaving Russian
territory within 10 days.
(Note. —This, as regards Persians,
has been confirmed from Persian sources.)
A certain number, who accepted Russian
nationality at once were sent off to Tash
kent, for employment, it is rumored, on the
railway line “ towards Mongolia ”.
(k) Air Mail .—Air mail service runs
once a week from Termez to Dushambe and
Tashkent; he thinks it either goes on thence
to Alma Ata or connects with a Tashkent-
Alma Ata service.
ENCLOSURE IN
INDIA FOREIGN SECRETARY’S
Lettor M.
Deled. USE P.1932
Receives 0C1. 1932