File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎382r] (411/1080)

258.
CIS-FRONTIER.
Bandargaz. —November 6th.
The correspondent writes to say there is no truth in the statement con
tained in the Teheran press and communicated by Reuter’s Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. that
there have been insurrections in Baku, Petrovsk, and Daghistan. He has
probably questioned Bolsheviks in the port and has been assured that every
thing is for the best in their best of all possible worlds. In contradiction of
this optimism it may be remembered that Protopopov, the head of the
Vnieshtorg in Meshed, stated after inquiry in Askhabad that there had
been minor disturbances in Baku but that the Bolsheviks had re-occupied
the town.
Ships hands when arriving in the port from Baku show the most extra
ordinary ravenousness for food, and this in spite of the weekly supply of
Persian provisions sent there.
Bujnurd. —There is no news of importance from this district.
As the conditions become more wintry communication with Russia
becomes more difficult until it stops altogether owing to the blocking of the
passes by snow, the discomforts of travelling in intense cold, and the fear of
wolves. Four men were reported to have been killed by wolves last winter
close to Bujnurd.
Quchan. —November 14th.
It is believed that Zabardast Rhan has arrived in Bajgiran and in con
sequence of this news those of his sowars who were sojourning in Quchan
left with their horses for the frontier to join their old chief. He is reported
to have sent his family to Aughaz, east of Bajgiran.
This news requires confirmation. The “ Khorasan ” newspaper of
Meshed confirmed it in so far as to state that the family of Zabardast Khan
had arrived at Bajgiran. It is possible that he has secured a pardon for
the murder of Reza Khan, his cousin and Governor of Darragaz, and with
it permission to return to Persia.
The party of 15 Persian Cossacks under an officer have taken up their
quarters in Quchan. They had not succeeded in securing any of the Gov
ernment rifles, which include a certain number of the M. L. E. short pattern.
The advent of the Persian Cossacks appears to have flustered the re
volutionaries of Quchan city. The Kavkazi Turks hold meetings every
night and are afraid their support of Muhammad Taqi Khan will
lead to their arrest. Yussaf Qarabaghi, whose name has often appeared in
these pages as one who is openly a Bolshevik agent, has not ventured out
side his house although his agents continue to come and go. Other Bol
shevik agent has disappeared to Askhabad, as also have their Kurd
accomplices and jackals. Abbas, Turk, a local and active Bolshevik, has
gone to Meshed.
Jamal Beg, Kavkazi Turk and long resident in Quchan, who enriched
himself as a contractor to the Indian troops when stationed in Quchan, has
betrayed to the Bolsheviks the identity of the resident agent of this office
lately appointed to Bajgiran.
Lutfabad. —November 15th.
The belief in the death of Lenin is persistent on the frontier. The
coi respondent at this centre says that at first the Russians on the railway
made no mention of this but that they have lately been discussing it. How
tar the unsuccessful attempts on Trotski and Chicherin have been distorted
into the assassination of Lenin is not possible to say.
Persian products continue to go to Russia through Lutfabad. Nearly
50,000 pounds of wheat have been loaded at Artik up to date, and 1,900
pounds of currants cross the frontier daily, destinated to the same station,
Two orators from the famine districts have been exhorting the people
of Artik to contribute for the relief of the starving. The Turkmen have
said they are unable to assist as they have now insufficient for their own use.