File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎436v] (520/1080)

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227.
CIS-FRONTIEK.
September 16th to 22nd.
The affairs in Khorasan are haying a bad effect on the public here. On
the other hand, those with revolutionary politics are greatly inspirited. It ia
said that the Mujahidin of Gilan wish to send help to Colonel Muhammad
Khan via Askhabad.
People ascribe the disbanding of the South Persia Tlifles by the British as
evidence that the latter wish to help Muhammad Taqi Khan.
The Persian Government has permitted the export of barley to Bussia and
80 000 poods are awaiting despatch. The Tsentro-Soyuz have opened branches
at Bandargaz, Astrabad and Shahrud. They are devoting themselves at present,
principally to the purchase of cereals by exchange with Russian manufactured
goods and sugar.
Bujnurd .—September 17th.
The movement of troops on the North-West Frontier Region of British India bordering Afghanistan. has stopped for some
reason not stated though the repair of frontier posts continues.
Information has been received from Gumbat-i-Qabuz that when it was
first heard there that Bolshevik troops had arrived at Qura Qala, the Jafar Bai
and Ak Ata Bai stopped their several quarrels and dissensions, persuading each
other that in the presence of a common enemy domestic squabbles must be
hushed up. The Kyaramel expedition of 1916 taught them that in unity there
is strength.
The correspondent asks “ How long will they remain in this virtuous frame
of mind ? ”
Nothing is known here of present events in Transcaspia, but a reliable man
has warned Sir Araz Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. to look out for something as the Bolsheviks are in
a state of agitation. Nevertheless, nothing has happened so far to justify this
warning.
Events in Meshed are greatly disturbing the Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. of Bupurd and he is
unable to sleep at night, for he is persuaded the sword of Damocles hangs over
him. He is loyal to the Persian Government and greatly fears the gendarmerie.
The Persian Prime Minister has sent him a telegram to calm his fears, saying
that, thanks to the intervention of the Consul-General at Meshed and the British
Minister at Tehran, the affair would soon be settled.
Bajgiran and Kachan .—No information.
Lutfalad .—September 19th, 20th and 23rd.
Rumours of more fighting in Ferghana are being brought in by travellers
to Artik who say, among other things, that Osh and Namanghan are in the
hands of insurgents. The latter are getting reinforcements from Kashgar as
w ell as from Bolshevik troops, many of whom desert to the enemy. It is
aeral is fighting on the side of the insurgents (Baron
Others from the interior of Bokhara say that the people of Guzar and
Karshi have destroyed 15 versts of the Termez line.
The correspondent is of opinion that in a very short while the whole
population of Turkestan will begin to move on account of the scarcity of food.
Arrivals from Merv state that some sixty wounded have arrived there from
the Kokand front.
An unusually heavy troop movement has passed west. The following are
details :—
From 21st to 25th September inclusive 890 troops, 1 aeroplane, 21 horses, 2
trucks with a guard mounted, contents not ascertainable.
From 25th to 26th September inclusive 105 railway vehicles full of troops.
Averaging the latter at 20 men per vehicle, the total would be 3,490 and 36
horses, 12 of which latter travelled on last two dates.
The correspondent states that according to his enquiries 1,500 of the above
troops and one aerop. ane went from Merv to Krasnovodsk for shipment to
Baku. Two aeroplanes were also sent from Askhabad to Krasnovodsk.