File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎316r] (279/1080)

63. The line east of Andijan is reported to have been torn up by
the rebels and Jalalabad captured about the third week in December. This
has not been confirmed, but it can only have been considerable success
on the part of the rebels that could have prompted the present more vigorous
measures of the Bolsheviks.
64. According to a narrator, the rebels on the Ferghana front number
6,000. but of these only some 1,500 are good fighting material, the re
mainder being out for food and plunder. This is probably a fairly accurate
appreciation.
65. Economic. —A report from Jizak contains a reference to the
establishment there of a “ bank ” which, from the description, would seem
to be more in the nature of a clearing house for the collection of paper
monev of former issues, and the issue in lieu of notes of the new denominations
at the prescribed equivalent of 1 :10,000.
The Bolsheviks contemplate the establishment, or have already estab
lished, State banks in the more important towns of the Caucasus and, pre
sumably, will extend the project elsewhere. It will be interesting to watch
the way they intend to grapple with the appalling chaos in their fiscal
system." Presuming financial stability returns to the country, will the man
who has to-day sold a pound of potatoes for a 5,000 rouble note be able at
some time in the future to encash that note for 500 roubles gold? The
answer, of course, is no—the question suggesting a reductio ad absurdum.
Nevertheless, in this we may see the reason for the new issue in the propor
tion of 1 :10,000. If the 5,000 rouble note received for a pound of potatoes
is encashed on these latter terms the vendor will receive or half a
rouble—that is, a fair return for his produce.
66. This deduction is offered for what it is worth but the chances are
that long before Russia has reached a position to encash her present note
issues many proportion Bolshevism will have joined the long list
“ Of old, unhappy, far off things
And battles—long ago. ’ ’
AFGHANISTAN.
Herat —January 6th to 12th.
67. Four companies of the Herati Regiment returned to Herat after
relief by the equivalent number from the Kandahar Regiment at Maimana.,
68. Colonel Rauf Khan, Commandant at Kafir Qala, who was on
leave in Herat has been ordered back to his post on account of the expected
arrival of the Persian Minister designate at Kabul.
Two Russians, believed to be couriers en route to Kabul, arrived
on the 7th. Three left for Kabul on the 8th.
69 Jamal Pasha’s courier who had been waiting at Herat for answers
from Kabul to the despatches he had brought received the same and left
for Russia on the 7th.
70. The Naib-ul-Hukumeh and the Naib Salar went to the parade
ground on the 9th and there laid the foundation stone of the new magazine
which is expected to be completed in the spring.
71. It is believed that Saiad Ismail Elsenussi will remain in Herat
until after the Persian New Year.
72. Orders have been received from Kabul that the Naib-ul-Hukumeh
will be continued in his office.
73. It is reported that the Afghan Prime Minister is visiting Herat.
74. The Bolshevik Consul General called on the Naib-ul-Hukumeh on the
12th to enquire about the arrival of the Persian Minister. He after
wards inspected the Naib-ul-Hukumeh’s stables and distributed 240 krans.
among the syces..