File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎371v] (390/1080)

Appendix II.
THE STRUGGLE WITH BASMACHISM. |
N. Berizin, one of the political ofl&cers with the troops operating in tW
Basmach conntry writes to the Tashkent “ Izvestia.”
Pourparlers with the leaders of Basmachism are not yet concluded, never-
theless, some interesting issues are beginning to be revealed. Firstly, it is evi
dent that there is considerable organization m Bashmach detachments.
Secondly, that some of them are of a mind to side with the Central Govern
ment. Thirdly, it is evident that there is considerable cleavage between the
Uzbegs and Qirqiz owing to racial enemity and this is tending to divide Basma
chism into two camps, fet the most important thing revealed in the discus- '
sions is that Basmachism is in process of disintegration. Numbers of its
adherents are tired of violence and plunder. Moreover, on account of the
shrinkage of the sown areas and of the ruin of rural economics as a result of
three years’ constant struggle in Eerghana, the population is no longer able to
feed Basmach bands.
The right course is the one taken by the Soviet Government, namely, the
stoppage of plundering by the various Basmach detachments and. the reform
of the land question. The change over from the system of requisitions to that
of the tribute in kind has created an atmosphere hostile to Basmachism. This
has affected not only the labour stratum of the people—small traders and
peasant farmers also demand a cessation of the struggle at any cost. Even the
priestcraft do not pose as partizans of a prolongation of it. The leaders and
representatives of the bourgeoisie are doing a great work among the Basmachi
for they were formerly believers in autonomy for Kokand.
By their struggle for autonomy and the institution of the Shariat the
Basmachi are trying to justify their rebellion and with these as watchwords
they have won over the people. Nevertheless the want of stability in their
position has been eloquently revealed in the discussions and even a section of
the priestcraft has been constrained to confess that the Shariat will itself he
destroyed by Basmachism. Neither is the watchword autonomy” able to
attract the masses for they are quite able to discern what manner of thing is
Basmach autonomy.
The delegation from Shermat was unable to make any reply when shown
in the constitution of the Turkestan Republic that Turkestan is an autonomous
portion of the Russian Republic and that the labour sections of the Uzbegs,
Qirqis, and Turkmen are masters of their own internal life.
The hollowness of these political demands is well understood by Mukhitdin
(Mohiudin) or by his adviser for he says straightly that he charges his dele
gation to conduct pourparlers on the basic laws of the Soviet Government.
It has been observed that there is a tendency among several of theGurbashi
(leaders of Basmachi) not to surrender their arms and to profit by the discus
sions as affording a respite from carrying out the orders regarding arms.
We must profit by the discussions to reveal our military strength. The
discussions must not be allowed to prove abortive. We must deal a shrew
blow at Basmachism and should be careful not to let the people change their
present frame of mind. On the contrary, we should profit by it in order to
break up the ranks of Basmachism and to strengthen the authority of the
Soviet Government Zhizn Nationalnostei, Moscow, October 10th.