File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎449r] (545/1080)

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INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 15TH, 1921.
ie, 236. KHORASAN.
^ Account of fei . Meshed .—Ccnlitions both in the Province and in its capital have been
in a very fluid state since the death of Colonel Muhammad Taqi Khan caused
the collapse of the military and political structure for which he was responsible,
p . The Gendarme force has been returning throughout the week, the first
j r ' 1 An acci detachment being one of 250 mounted men, 200 foot, and 50 artillery with
two guns which reached Meshed on the evening of the 11th. It is possible
that small detachments have been left behind at important points like Karez,
Turbat-i-Sheikh Jam, Nishapur, Kazimabad, etc., but with the exception of
these the whole Gendarme force is in Meshed or camped close thereto at
Turogh Sarai, seven miles south on the Duzdab Road.
The return of Major Ismail Khan (Colonel Muhammad Taqi Khan’s
promotions not having been ratified by the authorities at Teheran, presumably
this officer reverts to his original rank) has been greatly dreaded in certain
quarters as it was feared therein that he would set about fulfilling Muhammad
Taqi Khan’s programme or, being incapable of his late leadei’s achievements
and ambitions, he would endeavour to secure the same revolutionary ends by
methods that were more ruthless.
It is not thought that this officer is anything more than a swashbuckler
and a braggart and therefore, in reality, a weak character, all the more prone
to be swayed and controlled by “ clever men ” working in the background—
as, for instance, those of the Milyun party.
The motives which inspire the military policy of the Teheran Govern
ment remain a mystery as, indeed, does that policy itself for, since the
restoration of unrestricted telegraphic communication nothing has transpired
here relative to the situation, numbers, or intentions of the imperial troops
directed on Meshed. Moreover, the hesitation to move those same troops
and the loyalist tribal levies of the north into a position.from which they
could overaw r e the rebellious city is wholly inexplicable.
It is believed that the majority of the officers of the Gendarmerie are
distracted between their innate loyalty to the Shah and a belief in a spurious
patriotism which w’-as inspired in them by Muhammad Taqi Khan. As the
influence of the latter is now removed and the position of these officers
becomes more and more precarious their political bias inclines nearer and
nearer to the Shah.
As if to confirm them in this attitude a telegram was received from the
Prime Minister assuring them of the Shah’s pardon to all officers and officials
participating in the rebellion with the exception of two of the latter. All
were bidden to the telegraph office where they ■were prTt in communication
with the Prime Minister in Teheran. Many officers are for immediate
submission, others request that the promotions made by Muhammad Taqi
Khan be confirmed. Their irresolute and vacillating counsels are betrayed
by the many meetings going on, first at one house and then at another.
At this point a strong hand would have guided affairs into their former
constitutional channels. Instead conies Ismail Khan and by means of
inflammatory speeches at the tomb of Muhammad Taqi Khan produces once
again irresolution and a bias towards revolution. His speeches called for
vengeance for the death of the latter and denounced in bitter terms the
Prime Minister for which he was cheered, a voice from the crowd calling out
“ Death must overtake that man ”.
Pear for his own safety is dictating this attitude on the part of Ismail
Khan for he is not among those to whom unqualified pardon has been
extended, the War Minister having telegraphed to him to go on leave wdihin
forty-eight hours.
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