File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎354r] (355/1080)

Quchan. —12th and 15th December, i
Muhammad Ibrahim Khan Qaramahlu has been confirmed as Governor
by the Governor-General of Khorasan. Like most Persian Kurds he is a
confirmed “ tariaqchi ” or opium eater.
The Governor-General has bestowed a title on each of the Khawanin who
assisted in the downfall of Muhammad Taqi Khan.
It is believed in Quchan that Yussaf Qarabaghi and other Kavkazis
have received promises of employment from the Russian Consulate-General,
Meshed, and have been enjoined to carry on propaganda among the
Persians in the interim.
There is much traffic of individuals between Quchan and Askhabad in the
interests of the Vnieshtorg.
Twenty-two boxes of Russian gold coin arrived for this trading concern
from Askhabad on the 11th instant and is for onward transit to Meshed.
Lutfabad. —9th to 13th December.
A railway official returning from Merv says the belief in Lenin’s assassi
nation is prevalent there and that one Eastov (Radek ?) has been elected
to his place. It may be that the attempt on the life of Chicherin has given
rise to this story. He adds that the Special Department at Merv has been
abolished and that of Artik is to follow suit.
(The Special Department is always on the brink of abolition but it
continues to survive.)
Pamine is increasing in Turkestan and it is popularly supposed that in a
month’s time there will be no bread procurable. The Russian garrison at
Artik had no rations from the 7th to the 8th inclusive.
A Bolshevik Consular Agent is expected shortly at Lutfabad.
Sarahhs. —8th to 12th.
The Governor of Sarakhs was under arrest at the above date and expect
ing removal to Meshed.
The Barbari gendarmes who deserted from their post at Qazimabad near
Meshed and found their way to Posa Koh near Mazangan in the Sarakhs
district, had an affray with a Government punitive party as already reported,
by which their number was reduced by five, one of these, Eaiz Muhammad,
an e^- sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. of the 1C 6th Pioneers, being taken prisoner. The remaining 20
withdrew towards Khuaf.
The Governor of Zorabad has withdrawn his troops from Garmab but
the Bolsheviks maintain theirs still at Pul-i-Khatun,
275, TR AN S-PRONTIER.
Transcaspia .—The large traffic of refugees through this port continues.
The arrivals are accommodated as far as possible in huts on the beach and then
passed on to the interior of Transcaspia or Turkestan.
It is said that in Askhabad there is much popular satisfaction with the
new economic measures. The informant predicts this rejoicing will be short
lived owing to the increasing scarcity of bread. If to his views were added
the dubious prospect arising from the State monopoly of import and export
operations the pessimism as to the future would be heightened.
The Bolsheviks are suffering from a recurrent attack of spy fever-
Arrivals in Askhabad are closely questioned and threatened with death if
convicted of being “ English spies ”. One such has had his capital sentence
commuted to 10 years’ imprisonment as an act of grace on account of the
anniversary of the establishment of the Republic. Two others who have
served periods of confinement have been released.
It is related that women are being trained in military exercises in
A.skhabad, a party having been seen marching with rifles through the streets.