File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎315v] (278/1080)

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50. The garrison of the Bridge at Charjui has been increased and the
machine guns removed at the time of the flood last summer, replaced., The
garrisons of river posts from Charjui to Kilif have been expanded to 50 to
00 men each and have been increased in number.
51. Turkmen in the country round Karki are reported in revolt,
Karshi and Guzar threatened, the railway between Karshi and Samsuntorn
up and Yakka Bagh and Shahr-i-Sabz occupied. Termez has been reported %
surrounded but more reliable evidence than travellers’ tales show it to be
still in Bolshevik hands.
52. Jalakol is reported occupied and Kavadian threatened. (Degree
Sheet 37). The small Bolshevik force in the latter place had sent 200 troops
and 2 guns to dig in about 10 miles from Kavadian in order to oppose the
expected advance.
53. According to a recent arrival from Patta Kesar the Basmachi hold
the following places : Sarai Kamar, Jalakol, Qulab, Hissar, Baisun, Yurchi.
54. In the north of the Republic a section of the line between Zira
Bulak and Karmina has been torn up by rebels.
55. A recent arrival from Afghanistan states the ex-Amir of Bokhara
is dead. He adds that some attribute the recall of Abdul Qudus to the
capital to this event. The British Agent at Herat makes no reference to
this story.
56. Turkestan. —The arrival at Tashkent of the Afghan ambassador,
Ghulam Nabi Khan, en route for Moscow, was made the occasion of much
ostentatious ceremony by the Bolsheviks, the train being met by a salute
of guns, troops drawn up, a military band, and so on. In the subsequent
ceremonies the pupils of the Afghan College took part. A banquet was
given at which all the now familiar formulae were once again expressed—
the wonderful friendship between Russia and Afghanistan, the liberation
of Afghanistan and Turkestan from the yoke of Tsarist and European
imperialism, and so on.
57. The reference in last week’s Summary to a cessation of anti-British
propaganda has been followed up by frequent interrogation of arrivals on
the subject. Judging from replies received it would seem that this form
of campaign has been dropped by the Bolsheviks for the present. The tone
of the Tashkent paper is also more restrained. The stereotyped headline
“ Under the heel of England ” has not appeared in those impressions of
the paper that have recently reached this office. Nevertheless, the un
wearying attention to the course of Indian affairs is sufficient proof that the
policy of the Bolsheviks towards British interests in the East is, in the
main, unaltered.
58. The references in speeches and theatres, both for stage and kinema
representations, appear to be, for the present, principally to the well worn
theories of imperialism and capitalism.
59. Ferghana. —A rebel raid on old Marghilan, 18 versts from New
Marghilan, took place about the middle of December, overcame the Bol
shevik garrison of 200 men, and was in possession for 24 hours. Reinforce
ments arrived from New Marghillan and Kokand and the place was relieved,
but not before the rifles of the defeated garrison, and, perhaps, their
machine guns were got away.
60. The Bolsheviks are obliged to augment their numbers by impressing
civilians. Groups of civilians and soldiers are seen patrolling the rail
way line. According to a narrator, although there may be some measure
of distinction between the Bolshevik soldier and the civilian, there is but
very little outward difference, except that the former is the worse clad.
Frequently the only indication of his calling is the possession of a rifle.
61. Communication between the Ferghana and Bokhara Basmachi is
believed to have been established via Baljuan, Qulab, Qaratagan, and
Darwaza.
62. Public opinion is all on the side of the rebels and holds that they
will win in the end.