File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎323v] (294/1080)

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64. According to the narrator, the Basmach movement is foredoomed to
; failure owing to the lack of munitions and the absence of sources of supply
of the same. A similar argument was advanced with respect to the same
movement in Bokhara—mete Intelligence Summary 50, page 8.
65. The general condition of the people is pitiable. Queues wait for
hours for the daily distribution of the morsel of bread which is each one’s
share. In the mtervaTof waiting and receipt it is not uncommon for some
member of a family to die of hunger. The narrator and his companions were
begged to act as ambassadors to the British Government to beg the latter to
come and take over the people and the country. Or they would be asked to
be converted to Hinduism so as to be able to accompany the Shikarpuris to
India.
66. In Ferghana armed guards accompany the trains and in the towns
civilians are armed to assist in repelling raids. Civilians have also to do their
share of police duty by night.
AFGHANISTAN.
Herat. —30th December to 5th January.
67. Severe disciplinary penalties have been inflicted on two subadars, two
havildars Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard. , and ten men implicated in a burglary in the city. The delinquents
belonged to the 9th Herati Battalion. They have been mulcted in two months*
pay and dismissed from the service on. production of substitutes.
68. Two Russians arrived at Herat from Russia via Chahildukhteran on
the 1st. They are thought to be messengers.
69. Abdul Razaq, Secretary to the Afghan Embassy, Rome, left for
Kabul with his companions on the 1st.
70 ; Kandahar merchants report that the Sadr Azam has been dismissed
from his appointment as Governor of Kandahar and summoned to Kabul. The
dismissal is thought to be due to the differences arising between Sunnis and
Shiahs. An official has been appointed to investigate the matter.
71. The Naib-ul-Hukumeh is reported to have said that Shuja-ud-Daulah
has been appointed Governor of Herat and is coming to Herat in company of
a general officer. Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Abdul Aziz Khan has been appointed
Governor of Kandahar. Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Minister of Justice,
has been appointed Governor of Mazar-i-Sharif. Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Nadir Khan,
" Commander-in-Chief, has been made Governor of Kattaghan while Muhammad
Hashim Khan, Naib Salar of Jalalabad, has received the appointment of
Secretary to the Legislative Assembly, Kabul.
72. Two hundred English Lee-Metford and Russian three-line rifles
have arrived in Herat from Meshed. The price of rifles has greatly depreciated
in consequence.
Mazar-i-Sharif. —December 20th.
73. The pay of the troops is Rs. 13 a month and the men are discon
tented with this small amount. All were told that the pay would be
increased to Rs. 22 per month but this has never eventuated. Rations are
given to the men but their cost is deducted from pay. This is not regularly
disbursed and is sometimes months in arrears.
74. Every soldier gets a suit of uniforin and a pair of boots but he is not
allowed to wear his uniform except on duty or on parade. The troops are
provided m addition with a charpai apiece and oil for lighting barracks,
75. Leave is given to the ranks at the rate of one month a year. Bribery
is greatly resorted to by the soldier.
76. The relations between officers and men are not good and there is no
camaraderie between them.
au Arnienian drill instructor in Mazar. He teaches drill in
the Russian language^ In addition, there is one Russian (not including the
Consul) and two Russian women believed to have arrived in connection with