File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎477v] (602/1080)

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but have failed to achieve success. A photographic group of these applicants wf
gathered at the Telegraph Office was executed but, according to one observer
were some who manoeuvred to avoid an exposure fearing that a copy of the res 6 It
might prove to be hered itas damnosa when the reckoning for this provincial cent
macy comes to be paid. In fact, it is said that many of those most clamant against
the appointment of the Bakhtiari, are beginning to trim their sails as time wear
on and the Tehran Government shows no signs of surrendering its prerogati^
to nominate whomsoever it chooses to high office. These cautious individuals La *
no wish to become marked men should the regime of the Bakhtiari eventuate 6
A different spirit has actuated the Khorasan hereditary chiefs since April la t
when ; Muhammad Taqi Khan first put himself forward as the regenerator of Persia
The Barbari chiefs, Shuja-ul-Mulk,'Haidar Khan, and Saiad Murtaza, have been
frankly hostile, while Muhammad Taqi Khan himself suspects an attitude of alloof-
ness on the part of the Sadar Mu’aziz of Bujnurd. A Timuri chief, Shauqat-ud-
Daulah, who, when Governor of Sarakhs, was deprived of his horses and other
property and brought into Meshed under arrest by Muhammad Taqi Khan has
just been made Governor of Turbat-i-Sheikh Jam by the latter and has had his pro-
perty restored. This is evidently a policy of conciliation prompted by the hope
of securing the military support of the Timuri horsemen. ^
A first manifestation of this hostility has been the return to Meshed from
Karez of a Gendarme officer and party. They had been driven away by the Barbari
chief, Shuja-ul-Mulk.
Military.—In addition to the movements already noted, a squadron of
Gendarmes has been called in from Kuchan and were to be replaced by 100 Timuri
horsemen.
r
The authorities of the Gendarmerie are purchasing all horses offered for sale
and fit for military service.
Two adjutants of the same force have been arrested for drunkenness in the
local hotel.
Naim and Ghulam Hussein who deserted from the Gendarmerie, have lapsed
into outlawry near Turqhaba, a few miles north-west of Meshed. A detachment
of Gendarmes is searching for them.
Colonel Muhammad Taqi Khan demands the sum of 70,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a month
for the maintenance of his command.
As Governor-General, he has instituted an Intelligence Bureau whose head
quarters are in his own office. The public are invited to support this institution by
furnishing reports on occurrences, on the relations beteween Gendarmes and citizens,
etc., etc., a rather dubious aid to administration.
General. Twelve more Shia pilgrims have arrived from Kurram and more
are expected. . Three Indian refugees have recently arrived as refugees from
okhaia. Their names are Abdul Rashid Usman of Nowshera, Kalan of Peshawar,
T 3 °i w -i 11 ^hikarpur, Sind. They were in Bokhara when it was sacked by
t ^ . 0 sheviks and lost everything. They appear to have been afforded facilities
by the Bolsheviks for return to their native land.
Crime. Burglaries continue with unabated vigour in the City. Some arrests
-- reco yded. Among those apprehended was an Armenian and ex-Men-
s evi o cer who was particularly useful in the matter of furnishing information
regar mg he Bolsheviks and their sympathisers in the City.
C ? nV °y ^ arrie ^ an d donkeys was reported on good authority to have been
a ac e near Rui Khalf, resulting in the death of two donkey men and a third
seriously wounded.
• C Y° n - Kavkazi community under the leadership of Mir Mehedi lias
kei?n 1ZeC a .i C °Y mi i^ ee name d “The Committee of Punishment.” Punishment
nni r} 6 aWar e 0 those °f anti-Bolshevik tendencies while the individuals to carry
armpnra sai fi 6 he selected by ballot. Inquiries are proceeding into what
P ^ a rs sight rather an essay in penny-novelette crime.