File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎450r] (547/1080)

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was absorbed into the Gendarmerie have been seen in their original uniforms
as if to proclaim they had finished with the latter corps. Many desertions
from the Turbat column are reported which, if true, may mean that their
rifles will be sold into Afghanistan.
237. CIS-FRONTIER.
Bandargaz .—September 29th.
Stories are reaching Persia by the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. of travellers which relate the
appalling conditions in Russia, such as the abandonment of children by their
parents, the wholesale migration of communities, and even the beginning
of cannibalism. The assistance given to his nationals by the Persian Consul
at Tidis is contrasted favourably with that afforded by the same functionary
at Baku who charges half a million roubles for a passport.
The Governor of Bandargaz is now installed. It is stated of him that
from the beginning of bis administration he has taken bribes, having accepted
200 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. for giving permission to export a consignment of wheat to
Russia.
Bujnurd .—October 4th.
The work of strengthening frontier posts and garrisons in the Qara
Qala region is reported to be still proceeding but no details are given. The
object of these measures is now declared to be the forcible requisition of
supplies from the Yomuds who have long defied the Bolshevik tax collectors.
The majority of these recalcitrants have lately crossed into Persian territory
and these are the most solvent of the community.
A certain Shveikin has arrived in Qara Qala from Tashkent as a pleni
potentiary for deciding all local questions on the spot. He will also inspect
frontier posts. He is stated to have said that he wfill try by peaceful means
to occupy the Gumbad-i-Qabus area and to settle Russians there as was done
before.
Representatives of the Eussian Department of External Trade have
visited Bujnurd but left again after a week.
Qnchan. —October 10th.
The Bolshevik Consul-General for Meshed was expected on the 10th but
did not arrive. He returned to Askhabad from the frontier on the outbreak
of the Kurd counter-revolution. He is said to be a Turk.
A telegram from the Persian Government to the local revenue authorities
was received on the 9th and stops further export of wheat to Russia. The
reason is not stated.
There appear to be many Bolshevik agents at w r ork in Quchan. The
correspondent names some and includes Meshedi Reza the man who brought
bombs from Russia for use against British troops. This individual met other
Bolshevik agents in conference and said he had come from Meshed on
important business but which had miscarried (it may be remembered that
this man was one of the emissaries to the Bolsheviks of Muhammad Taqi
Khan). He enjoined them to go on with their w T ork and promised to return
from Askhabad shortly.
The following is a detail of the Kurd force at Quchan, etc. :—
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 Bujnurd ....
300
sowars.
Muhammad Ibrahim, Qaramanlu.
200
Wali Khan, Qaramanlu
. 150
n
Farajulla Khan . • .
150
»
Taj Muhammad Khan . • .
. 100
Karim Khan .....
50
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Sultan Bajgiri .....
40
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Other sowars from different frontier districts
Total
. 250
. 1.240
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