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'Central Asia, Persia, Afghanistan, &c. Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic Movements and connected information. Issue No. 3. Supplement. 1st to 31st December 1919' [‎8r] (15/16)

The record is made up of 1 file (8 folios). It was created in Jan 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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15
Mr. Wardrop (Tiflis), 27th December, Ho. 234. Following from Colonel Stokes :—
‘‘ According to reliable information (? some) 1,500 Bolsheviks from Georgia
and Azerbaijan are being sent via Baku to Persia. First 500 are now leaving
Baku in small boats for Lenkoran, whence they will enter Persia by land.
Persian Commissioner at Baku has asked his Government to take precaution on
frontier, and is also, I understand, suggesting that two armed ships flying
Persian flag, but with some British personnel, be placed on Caspian to guard
Persian littoral,
“ Question of control over Caspian Sea, in my opinion, demands immediate
consideration.
“Denikin’s fleet is unsatisfactory and is expected to join Bolsheviks if they
take Krasnoyodsk. One ship already mutinied, resulting in disbandment of
_ crew and execution of five ringleaders* .
“ Bolshevik fleet prevented coming south only by lack of fuel. Unless prompt
measures are taken, Bolphevik control of Caspian appears to be* probable at
no distant date.
“To avoid this, following alternatives are suggested :-t—‘
“(A) Take over from Denikin all or at least four of armed ships we gave
him, and replace on them British personnel and run fleet as British.
“(B) T&ke over the four ship (? s from) Denikin and allot two each to
Azerbaijan and Persia, giving them necessary British personnel.
(C) Arm and commission three Caspian gunboats <(? taken) last year
(groups omitted) Astrabad, Kars, and Ardahan, now unused at Baku, manning
them with partly British crews.
“ If feasible, alternative (A) is recommended.
“In addition, in order to give Azerbaijan badly needed assurance that Baku
will not be at mercy of armed ships on Caspian, whether Bolshevik or Denikin,
I strongly urge breechblocks of two 6-inch guns mounted by us at Baku be handed
over to Azerbaijan Government with sufficient ammunition for use in case of
attack from sea. Breechblocks believed to be at Constantinople.”
I concur, : and as regards last paragraph would suggest breechblocks and
ammunition be conveyed to Batoum immediately to be held in readiness for
transport to Baku in case of need.
Mr. Wardrop (Tiflis), 27th December, No. 237. Situation in Trans-Caspia and its
bearing on Trans-Caucasus causes me some anxiety.
Bolsheviks' evidently intend to take Krasnovodsk. They are sending
numerous agents to Caucasus and Persia with large funds, including forged
Bradburys, and are trying to buy over the Turcomans. He has seen their two
leaders, who are co-operating with Volunteer Army, but inefficiency of latter and
ill-treatment of troops have alienated their sympathy. They ask British support
(? for their) claims of future independence, and declare they could form anti-
Bolshevik barrier from Caspian to Merv threatening enemy’s communications.
He says His Majesty’s Government refused four months ago to entertain proposals
for British protectorate or small British Mission, but thinks matter worthy of
reconsideration in view of present danger to Persia and Caucasus.
Saiid Zia Uddin considers threat to Persia serious, and says several com
missaries at Askabad are Persians, and Bolsheviks are active in Persia. Colonel
Stokes could get into touch with Turcomans through Saiid Persian Commissioner
in Baku if authorised, and he has suggested present telegram as matter is
urgent.
Small vessels have resumed regular sailings from Baku to Enzeli and
Krasnovodsk.
I do not feel competent to express decided opinion on above, especially as I
am not thoroughly aware of extent of Afghan activity in Central Asia. I could
not go further than to submit that sending British Mission to Turcomans to
enquire and report might have temporary good effect in Trans-Caspia.
F.S. 1763 S. 28th December. As regards Northern Persia we consider we must
expect gradual accession of strength to Bolsheviks in Central Asia during the winter
months, and that if Krasnovodsk is captured, and defection of Caspian fleet follows,
there is reason to believe expedition against Persia will be seriously undertaken.
Maximum numbers which might be available for this purpose next spring we

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Content

The file consists primarily of summaries of letters, memoranda, and reports dated between 26 November 1919 and 5 January 1920; the subject matter concerns Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan. These summaries are divided into a series of sections which are as follows:

  • I. Bolshevik Missions to Kabul;
  • II. Afghan Relations with Bokhara and Khiva;
  • III. Intrigues at Tashkend;
  • IV. Afghan Mission to Kushk;
  • V. Movements in Afghan Turkestan;
  • VI. Afghan Mission to Moscow;
  • VII. Movements in Ferghana and Semirechia;
  • VIII. Bolshevik relations with Bokhara, Khiva and Samarkand;
  • IX. Afghan-Bolshevik Commercial Relations;
  • X. Barkatullah;
  • XI. Afghan Aggression into Russian Territory: Afghan political Relations with Bolsheviks in Turkestan;
  • XII. Kasim Beg;
  • XIII. Pan-Islamism and anti-British Schemes;
  • XIV. Bolshevik Designs on Persia;
  • XV. Bolshevik assistance to Afghans in Material, &c.;
  • XVI. Miscellaneous: (a) Movements of Bolshevik troops in Transcaspia. (b) Food and fuel situation in Bolshevik area. (c) Intrigues with Trans-Caucasia;
  • XVII. Appreciations of the General Situation.

Section XVII contains substantial extracts from letters, memoranda, and reports rather than the usual summaries. Sections IV and XII are empty; nil is used to indicate that there are no reports in these sections for the period in question.

The following titles are abbreviated in the file as indicated: Chief of the [Imperial] General Staff (CGS); Director of Military Intelligence (DMI); and Foreign Secretary (FS) — most likely — to the Government of India.

Extent and format
1 file (8 folios)
Arrangement

The file is divided into seventeen sections outlined in a table of contents on the first folio.

Physical characteristics

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

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Central Asia, Persia, Afghanistan, &c. Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic Movements and connected information. Issue No. 3. Supplement. 1st to 31st December 1919' [‎8r] (15/16), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/A186, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100078909954.0x000010> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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