File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎375r] (397/1080)

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SECRET.
No. 48.
V
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING
NOVEMBER 26TH, 1921.
261.,
KHORASAN.
Meshed. —Conditions in the Province and its capital are tranquil with
the exception of some incidence of lawlessness on the part of the 20 Barbari
Gendarmes who deserted their post at Qazimabad on the Meshed-Quchan
road. They are reported to have formed a band and to be operating in the
vicinity of Posakoh., Their leader is an ex-sergeant of Gendarmerie called
Samad Qasim. :
250 Persian Cossacks of the “ Iraq ” Division left Meshed for Teheran
on the 19th instant. They were in charge of 1.000,000 S. A. A. and 1,000
rifles , 300 more of the “ Teheran ” Division are to leave shortly with a
similar quantity of materiel.
25 Persian Cossacks left for Khakistar on the 21st instant to take over
from the Bolsheviks those gendarmes who fled from Bajgiran to Russian
territory on the occasion of the Kurd counter-revolution.
Recruiting for the Persian Cossacks has begun in Meshed.
There is rivalry, if not jealousy, between the Gendarmerie and the
Persian Cossacks which is no doubt fostered by Major Mahmud Khan
Nauzari and his small following of irreconcilables. Sincere efforts are
being made in more than one quarter to get him moved to Teheran but
so far, these do not appear to have met with success. Arguing by deduction
from purely superficial evidence it might seem he has powerful political
support from somewhere or is being kept in Khorasan by some or other
political party which does not wish the state of the Province to assume too
tranquil a character, or one too confirmatory of the administrative capacity
of another party.
Later information states he has been called to Teheran by the War
Minister. This summons he is trying to evade by wiring an appeal to the
Prime Minister for advice. Other officers of the Gendarmerie have also
been called to Teheran.
Certain of these appropriated money and valuables during what might
be called the Gendarme regime in Khorasan. These acquisitions they have
been trying to despatch by the mail service to Teheran. It has been found
necessary in this connection to nominate a military Court of officers of the
Cossack Division, Gendarmerie, and Police, who are examining claims and
complaints preferred by the public and by individuals against the Gendar
merie and its officers.
The house and store rooms of Sultan (Captain) Taqi Khan have been
searched by order of this Court. It may be remembered this officer com
manded the column, or “ Kava Army,” which operated against the tribes
in S. E. Khorasan. The search resulted in the discovery of looted property,
including two British telephone instruments, forcibly taken from the British
telegraph office at Turbat-i-Haidari.
The officer commanding the Gendarmerie, Colonel Ali Khan,/ has pro
mulgated an order annulling all promotions and appointments made by
Colonel Muhammad Taqi Khan without previous sanction of the Persian
Government.,
The reduction in the numbers of the Gendarmerie establishment con
tinues, 70 Barbaris having been discharged during the week.
BOLSHEVIKS,
A party of three Russians accredited to the Meshed branch of the
Vnieshtorg (Department of External Trade) has arrived in Meshed. One
of them is described as Major General Alexander Ivanovich Vuigornitzki.
L 732(S) T&PD