File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎497v] (642/1080)

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Forecast. —From a consideration of the above it may be conceded tBat Muiam.
mad Taqi Khan stands isolated in policy with the exception of the few support
quoted.
He has raised, paid, and clothed a force of some 2,000 men whom he has armed
but not trained, for, drill on the barrack square and marching through the tows
behind a brass band, does not fit troops to take the field.
The probabilities are that if he is checked his command will either go over to
the other side or will break up into groups, taking their arms and abundant am
munition to start pillage and highway robbery.
If, on the other hand, Muhammad Taqi Khan sees the futility of resistance
and leaves the country there will still exist this force of 2,000 men, armed with
magazine rifles, Lewis guns, and mountain artillery, which, with inexhaustible
ammunition, must begin to prey on the people, for there will be no provision for
its exchequer and commissariat. They will be difficult for the Persian Government
to cope with and to bring under discipline again. The great store of the once
British rifles and small arm ammunition now in Meshed and at the mercy of a force
which is out of hand, to say nothing of the wealth of the bazar, is a factor of the
future to be reckoned with.
Whether the future will contain an initiation of punitive measures by the
Persian Government remains to be seen. Such would seem most desirable not only
in order to vindicate and re-establish its authority but to deter future idealists
and adventurers from making similar attempts upon the peace of the country and
to show the people that the said adventurers may not be followed by a constitutional
force with impunity to that force and its officers.
Events might develop in another direction which would start from an untimely
collision between the tribal leaders in the east and the gendarmes. The former
have a great disparity in numbers which do not at present exceed 1,000 if evidence
on the matter from Persian sources is to be trusted. They are also deficient in arms
and ammunition though their men are probably better fighting material than
their opponents.
The northern chief, 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. Mu’azzaz can muster about 700 men, mostly sowars,
indifferently armed, who, though probably able to give a good account of themselves
in their own hilly fastnesses, would be of little value in any other terrain.
Recruiting is being pushed forward with vigour, anybody being accepted from
road sweepers of the municipality to Bolshevik suspects and Caucasian Turks—
these last always being an undesirable element. The term of service has been
reduced from three to one year. The latest recruiting poster is headed by tk
badge of the Imperial Persian Government.
Detachments are being called in from the northern frontiers and animals are
being impressed.
Since the 24th August Meshed has been under martial law and a censorship on
letters and telegrams has been established. The local police have been deprived of
00 magazine rifles and their Swedish chief, Major Bronikowsky, has been relieved
of his duties by Muhammad Taqi Khan who has asked him to return to Tehran.
He has himself assumed control of the department.
PP^bical party which includes the heads of certain departments has signified
e e ^ ar h overnment of a rupture of relations between it and themselves and it
as no e e independence of Tehran of the province of Khorasan. Nobody
^mhpT 1S ° r ltS ? Ctl ° n Very seriousI y and it is doubtful if the Province
acquiesces in its new-found and unwanted independence.
202. Cis-Fkontier.
12th^>rirmfrm AZ August 14th and 18th. — (i) The mail steamer arrived on the
waste ZtinirrT 1116 ? 0 j> lcLa *d silver articles and nearly 200 poods of
for nrovisions rl S °® ce records. They hope to exchange this cargo
the Customs S d ^ products ’ lt pas been unloaded and taken over by