File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎472r] (591/1080)

Since tlie last defeat of K han Juneid Khan all roads leading to the desert
have been fortified at favourable points.' There have been attempts to arrest him
by the despatch of punitive columns but success has not attended these efforts
as yet.
In the first week of July Khiva sent four representatives to a Conference at
Baku and six to another at Bokhara. The future of the two Khanates was
supposed to have been discussed upon these occasions.
Yomuds still make sporadic raids upon Bolshevik posts, retiring again to their
hiding places in the deserts. Discontented and ruined Khivans are joining these
roving bands.
The Bolsheviks have recently sent two delegates to Juneid Khan whose mission
was to try and induce him to return with them to Khiva. It was rumoured he
had accepted the inducements held out to him and was expected shortly in his old
capital. The sceptic might regard this rumour as a device of the Bolshevik to delay
a confession of failure, especially if he remember the parallel events of a year ago
when the Khan lay with his force not far from Askhabad.
Charjui. — July 19. —With the exception of 200, all the men of the Amu Darya
Flotilla have been sent away—according to one testimony to Petrograd, according
to another to Siberia. Those remaining will be used as an instructional staff for
native ratings who will fill the depleted European cadre of the Flotilla.
About the first half of July a Bokharan consul named Haji Pulad was sent to
Kabul. A Bokharan Consul of the name of Mirza Haidar Yussafzada is reported
to have been assassinated there.
At the same time 3,000 troops left for Patta Kesar by route march and three
steamer loads by river.
The Charjui bridge is under repair, trains being passed over it slowly and care
fully.
The place has its quota of famine refugees who are maintained by the State.
I ood is scare, troops getting only half a pound as a bread ration.
Some 240 women are being trained in rifle exercises for two hours a day at
a time when off office duty.
All Bokharans are very discontented. The Bolsheviks seem to realize this
for their attitude is a very placatory one. Military service is not popular among
Bokharan recruits and many desert despite the penalty of death on apprehension.
The Military Commander of New Charjui is Nimodarov and of old Charjui,
Trashkin. The chief komissar for both Charjuis is Abdul Rahim Musa Khanov.
The Assistant Commander of the Flotilla is Kartishov. The City Governor of
Old Charjui is Aglamov. The official in charge of the Propaganda Department is
Shauqat Suleimanov. The Chief of the Specal Department is Najaf Qurban.
Comparison with previous records will show that the whole of Charjui offi
cialdom has been changed as r gards the heads of departments.
Karri. — 10th and 18th July. —The steamer service is suspended owing to the
departure of sailors of the flotilla. Three steamers were lying off Karki at the time
of the report. Movements by river are now carried out in boats. A small contin
gent of sailors has been left behind to train the new hands—Bokharans and Khivans.
Food was scarce, only party men enjoying State assistance for their rationing.
Non-partymen have to depend on what they can buy or procure from Turkmen.
Railhead had arrived to one station’s distance from Karki. (This statement
needs be accepted with caution).
The narrator had heard of troops having been sent to Termez, but at'the same
time others arrive from there so that the recent movement to Patta Kesar recorded
above may only have been in the nature of reliefs.
Discontent prevails among the people who resent the robery, maltreatment,
hunger, and general misery which has become their lot under Bolshevik adminis
tration.