File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎203r] (53/1080)

MESHED INTELLIGENCE DIARY No. 38, FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 6th
l Y NOVEMBER 1922.
General.
vA f
iV
1. Eigid conscription is still in force for all men between the ages of 18
stnd 40. The majority of recruits are sent to Tashkent.
2. Although in the Bokharan province little or no fighting has taken place
reports from other areas, i.e., Orenburg, Khiva and Ferghana tend to prove that
the rebel movement is by no means at an end. A report from Bokharan
sources gives the view that fighting has only ceased on account ot the peace
conference now being held between Enver Fasha and the Bolshevik representa
tives, but as nothing has been settled nor is a settlement likely, a resumption
of fighting may be anticipated.
It is noteworthy that Haji (Khawja) Quli, frequently referred to in pre
vious Diaries, has again returned to Turkistan. He is a keen follower of
Junaid Khan and his presence may be regarded as another thorn m the flesh ot
the Bolsheviks.
3. The Bolsheviks have made much of the Turkish situation to stimulate
the recruiting of volunteers for service with the Turkish Nationalists. Guns
were fired in most towns and free cinema shows were given which showed Greek
and British troops retiring before the victorious Turkish troops.
Many volunteers have unquestionably been enrolled but their actual
departure, beyond those already reported, has not yet taken place.
4 The “ Union of Islam ” (Diary No. 35, paragraph 4) is still pursuing its
aims to recruit Mohammedans for the Pan-Islamic movement. Committees
have been formed in practically every town m Turkistan and propagandists
are preaching on its behalf everywhere.
5 Two extracts from secret issues of Communistic journals are attached
j to this Diary. In one it will be noted that the Soviet attributes recent distur-
| bances in Madras to the work of its agents in India.
/V
Transcaspia.
6. Kiiil Armt, October SOtfi.-Railway workers on the line between
Krasnovodsk and Kizii Arvat, and locomotive engineers at KizilArva
struck work as the result of reduction of rations, on October 28th. Distur
bances are reported to have taken place in which soldiers and civilians parti
cipated with^oss of life. Troops were sent from Askahad and locomotive
englneerTwere summoned from Tashkent. The strikers were still out when the
reporter left Kizii Arvat on October 30th.
7 Atkahad October 21st.—A train with 250 soldiers with horses, three
jnacWne^guns, one aeroplane and a considerable quantity of ammunition
passed through Askabad on October 21st en route Baku. Three officers of high
rank are stated to have been on this train.
8 Four Bolshevik officers under arrest arrived at Askabad on October
20 th, Sent, 0 vffiere they are to be tried for creating disloyalty
amongst the troops.
9 Kumours are current in Askabad that the garrison there is to be consi-
derably increased in the near future, also that new barracks are shortly to be.
erected,
ENC. im INDIA FOREIGN
•£•«( RETABY’P NC SOM
E ATFE DEC 14,
Re
d Jf.
*.ll
V