File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎411r] (469/1080)

'SECRET,
I
No* 46*
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING
NOVEMBER 12TH, 1921.
KHORASAN.
Meshed. The Court Martial assembled to try the principals of the
late insurrection has not yet concluded its sittings. None of its findings
to yet been promulgated, indeed, such is not at all likely until the author
ities at leheran have scrutinized the proceedings.
The security of the city and of the Province appears to be ensured under
the Cossack administration. Undoubtedly a state of peace is what is
desired by the bulk of the populace, both urban and rural., and if a decision
were left to it there would not be fear of any further insurrection, or of
lawlessness. The prestige of the Persian Cossack force is high among the
people, and the late potent example of the disasters attending attempts
at revolution will doubtless do much to discourage any further movement
towards a subversion of authority.
i j ® xa ! I1 Pl e aforesaid is intensified by a drastic disposal of the
leaders of the late movement, in all probability there will be no further
trouble m the city. On the other hand, it must be remembered that the
lurk population remains, and that in its midst the red embers of political
unrest will smoulder unless stamped out once and for all—a difficulty
m all communities. Therein lies the task of a strong Governor General,
tor the military authority at present directing the administration will not
be continued beyond a certain period in the ordinary course of affairs.
The friends and connections of those in arrest try by influence and by
material inducements to persuade the Aghazada, the High Priest of
Khorasan, to intercede with the authorities in Teheran on behalf of the ac
cused, but it is believed that His Reverence has been told by the Prime
Minister not to meddle any further in temporal affairs. It is said that his
house shows a rich and varied collection of presents and offerings and
one, Quwam-ul-Mamalik Turshizi, who sacrificed a valuable carpet be
wailed his loss, saying he would rather have lost a son.
The Aghazada is a very wealthy individual and it was fear for his
possessions which caused him so energetically to combat the arrival of the
Kurd force m Meshed after their victory over Muhammad Taqi Khan On
one occasion he was required to remove himself to Tun. He turned his
exile to such advantage that he returned considerably richer than he went.
Similarly, when required to absent himself again and to go to Tabas. he
collected revenue, purchased land, and returned more opulent than ever,
The Cossack administration is steadily disbanding the Gendarme force
raised by Muhammad Taqi Khan. Little consideration is shown those thus
retrenched. They are given four krans a piece (about eighteen pence) their
uniform taken away, and turned adrift.
It is believed that the present intention is to reduce the Khorasan Gen
darmerie to 300 mounted, 400 foot, and 100 staff. The ordnance present
m Meshed consists of 15 muzzle loading guns, 2 Schneider field guns 14
machine guns including automatic rifles, and 4 mountain battery guns
These, no doubt, will be taken over by the Cossacks. The residue of small
arm and gun ammunition is not yet determined.
The present armed strength is given as 1,980 of all denominations,
that is, Khorasan and Teheran gendarmes, Cossacks, and old regulars who
.will be absorbed in the Cossacks, if recommended. The latter have taken
over the main guard in the city and also the magazine.
There is some difficulty of payment of wages and of maintenance of
these troops. Such is inevitable, owing to the exhaustion of the revenue
producing resources of the Province by the late Muhammad Taqi Khan
P65 F&PD
2NC. in INDIA FOEHIIG-N'