File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎456r] (559/1080)

CONFIDENTI
Intelligence Summary No. 37, for the week ending 10th September 1921.
213. Trans-Frontier.
Krasnovodsk. August 28th. The water condenser is out of order and
there is great scarcity of drinking water in consequence. It has to be brought
from a distance by train and a small quantity issued to each individual every day.
Public opinion is greatly incensed against the Bolsheviks who are depriving
the people of every means of existence. Lately some Bolshevik mounted troops
went east of Krasnovodsk on a foraging expedition. They secured some sheep
but it was said that several Turkmen were killed when trying to protect their
property.
Labourers hold frequent meetings to demand better conditios of lifs from the
Bolsheviks who placate them with stories of the good time coming. A strike may
occur at any time. °
There has been no troop movement to or from Baku for some time.
Kizil Arvat. August 22nd .—To the reports, received from this place and
already recorded there is nothing to add. Food and the want of it are the only
things that matter in Russian territory to-day, they are the only things the travel
ler or the refugee from that country can talk of. That the Bolsheviks can continue
to hold the community together is a matter of surprise and a proof of that driving
force behind the movement which has been previously referred to. This may be due
to their being better fed than the miserable creatures they rule, to the methods of
terrorism with which they suppress political recalcitrancy, to the inherent apathy
of the national temperament, or to a combination of any or all of these provisions.
It is impossible to conceive any other people enduring and continuing to endure the
remorseless tyranny which is starving it to death, yet denies the opportunity of
escape to other countries where life under normal conditions still obtains.
Land and buildings at Kizil Arvat, no longer required by the Bolsheviks, may
be resumed by the original proprietors. The conditions of tenure under State
Socialism may, however, be very different from what obtained in Tsarist times.
Askhabad. August 25th .—There is now no epidemic in Askhabad and no
quarantine restrictions. The bread ration for troops is hah a pound a day. This
may, of course, be due partly to the self-denying ordinance whereby troops give up
a portion of their ration for the famine districts. Goatskins are being used for
covering the body and shoes soled with rope as foot wear.
A poster is being exhibited in which there are two groups, one of a party of
agriculturists with the implements of their calling and the other of idlers who are
starving. The agriculturists are shown with ample supplies of food before them.
The moral would be lost on those agriculturists who have lately experienced State
spoliation of the products of their industry.
Merv. August 18th .—Malaria is very prevalent in Merv and people are dving
of hunger. There is no trade. In their meetings and conferences the Bolsheviks
continue to exhort to unity and soldiering is eulogised as a calling.
The Afghan Consul at Merv left for Takhta Bazar on the 18th August.
Kushk. August 29th .—There are three towrs near Kushk village and a gun
has been mounted in each of these. The tower on which the searchlight is operated
is made of spars and is near the Herat Gate. Some 200 workmen are employed
on the repair of the forts. No other civilian is allowed within the enceinte.
They receive troop rations which have always been in excess at Kushk of those \
issued elsewhere, though at present one quarter pound of bread is being contributed
for the famine districts. The clothing of the garrison is superior to that of troops
elsewhere. It may be that units in this area are considered on a war footing, hence
the superior conditions of service.
€46 BED