File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎346r] (339/1080)

Economic. —A consignment of silver specie, estimated by the furgon driver
who bought it at 90 poods has been imported by the Vnieshtorg from Russia.
Excluding the weight of the cases the weight of the coin would be somewhere
in the region of 3,000 pounds avoirdupois. Taking the pood at 36 6 pounds,
the pound avoirdupois at 7,0DO grains troy, and the weight of the Persian
five-kran piece at 354'8 grains, a simple calculation will give the approximate
number of krans in the consignment.
{Note. —The question of the importation of Russian minted Persian
coinage will be.found referred to in the Appendices).
. 278. CIS-PRONTIER.
Eandargaz .—December 12th and 15th.
The Governor of Astarabad appears helpless in the face of Turkmen
lawlessness and it is believed he will be relieved shortly.
The Persian Government appears to have laid some embargo on the trade
with Russia in kerosine oil and to have ordered the confiscation of existing
stocks. The correspondent is obscure in the matter.
The situation in Baku is reported to be quiet, but meetings are greatly
resorted to for the discussion of political and economic questions. Preedom
of trade and of travelling are particularly demanded in these extempore par
liaments.
All the railways of Caucasia, that is, of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia,
and Daghistan, have been incorporated in the Russian systems. Through
running between Armenian termini and Moscow is restored.
A country boat with cargo was on its way from Gumesh Teppe to Ban-
dargaz when it was attacked and looted by Turkmen pirates who have not been
identified.
Bujnurd .—December 20th.
The situation on the Russo-Persian frontier from Piroza to Chikishlyar
is normal. The men of Russian garrison posts are selling their equipment
for maintenance.
Colonel Haji Murad, the Turkmen chief, at present in receipt of a com
passionate allowance from the British Government, is settled at Yangi Qala
on the Russo-Persian frontier, north east of Bujnurd. He has been offered
an amnesty for himself and family by the Tashkent Government on con
dition he returns home. It is not known yet if he is disposed to accept
this offer.
Bajgiran.— December 19 th.
A Bolshevik inspector, a jew, of Bolshevik institutions abroad, such as
the Yniesgtorg, the Tsentro-Soyuz, etc., has passed through on his way to
Meshed.
Quchan .—December 19th and 22nd.
The Ynieshtorg are buying food-grains and raisins again. They are paying
65 krans per kharwar for wheat, 50 for barley, and 120 for raisins. The rise
in price of food-grains is equivalent to 70 per cent, on last year’s market.
A representative of the concern is intending to go to Bujnurd to try and
induce the Sardarto sell from his district.
The Khawanin have offered to co-operate with the Persian Government
in the operations against the rebels in the Tabriz area.
Lutfabad .—December 16th and 20th.
There are persistent rumours on the frontier that Zabardast Khan and one
of his confederates in crime, Abdul Qadir, have been shot in Tashkent.
The Commission on the distribution of Persian frontier water to Russian
settlements has dnished its labours and presented its report. The Commission
also went into the question of the extradition of Zabardast Khan. It is believ
ed that the Russian members of the Commission refer therein to the connec
tion between Zabardast Khan and the British military authorities. An attempt
is being made to get a copy of this document.