File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎430v] (508/1080)

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There are very many famine refugees in Samarkand. The number is
giving as 5,000 but this is probably exaggerated. Their dead bodies are taken
from the railway trucks and wagons which bring them from the north. They
get a State dole of five ounces of bread a day.
Cholera is raging, the average daily mortality being about 20. The
doctors are helpless and are believed by the people to help the despatch of
cholera victims.
The theatres and kinema halls reproduce scenes illustrative of the miseries
of life under the rule of the Tsars. Public meetings are convened and speeches
given therein expatiating on the time of future happiness in store for those who
enjoy the blessings of Bolshevik rule. Nevertheless, the people are not con
vinced and their feelings towards their rulers are very bitter. Bolshevik
soldiers anticipate one of two fates—either to die of hunger or at the hands of
rebels.
Troop movements to Shahr-i-Sabz and other places are rare as the low
vitality of the troops makes marching impossible.
Margilan .—September 4th.
Rebel raids are of very frequent occurrence. The Bolsheviks have made
many attempts to come to terms with Sher Muhammad Kor but without
success. He is determined to continue fighting until the Bolsheviks have
evacuated the whole of Turkestan.
The public response to appeals for the famine-stricken areas has been very
poor. There is no epidemic but great mortality among the refugees.
Andijan .—September 4th.
There has been a large increase in troops here on account of the rebels’
activity. An armoured engine patrols between Andijan and Kokand every
third day. Its headquarters are at the latter place.
Bolshevik columns are frequently despatched to the hills to round up rebels
but do not seem to meet with much success. On the other hand, the rebels are
constantly raiding. Between the Bolsheviks who squeeze them and the rebels
who loot them the lot of the villagers in the disturbed area is not to be
envied.
The insurgent forces are variously estimated at 15,000 to 40,000. Both
figures are probably gross exaggerations. Their operations extend to Kokand
and Namangan. r
The coal mines at Kan Badam are not being worked at present owing to
shortness of labour, the miners having deserted in large numbers owing to the
want of food. Agriculture in the vicinity of Andijan is neglected owing to past
and present devastation due to the operations of troops.
224. BOLSHEVIK GARRISONS.
Krasnovodsk. —7th September 1921.
Six hundred, majority Muslims. About 100 of this total are mounted
and of these oO are at the salt mines at Kulla 30 versts from Krasnovodsk.
7 guns 18 orderlies push cycles, 2 motor cycles. The hydroplane and pro-
jector have both been removed. Jr p
Bujnurd 1’rontier.—So information has come from Bujnurd during the
week owing, probably, to the Censor. 6
Askhabad.—\4Ah September 1921.
Eight hundred to 1,000. About the 8th about 1,200 troops arrived and
were debuted along the frontier. These troops were in field service order
and bad .S cuns, 6 machine guns, 1 armoured car, 3 light cars, 10 transport
carts, and 1 aeroplane 100 mounted and 160 infantry were sent to Baigiran.
No news of this force has come from frontier sources and the presence of an
aeroplane and armoured car for mountainous country is difficult to accept.
But see * r
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