File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎536v] (720/1080)

The Young Bokharans are recruiting vigorously for their army. The
civil administration is in their hands, the Governor being Momin Sofi and the
Military Governor Gul Muhammadov.
The Bolsheviks are demobilizing soldiers over 25 years of age. They are
then drafted into factories and on to the land.
Qulab.—Jxxne 30rh to July 7th. An agent reports economic conditions #
normal. New clothing has been issued to troops recently.-
On the 1st July the Military Commander Gikvinkov (*) gave a speech in
a public meeting in which he said that the Bolshevik arms had overcome all
opposition in Russia and Turkestan but that Sher Muhammad Kor was still
holding out. His fate, however, was a foregone conclusion for he would soon
be a prisoner in their hands. He impressed on his hearers the good relations
existing between the Afghans and the Soviet Republic. He exhorted the
people to send their younger sons to school and to put the older ones into the
Bolshevik army.
Sher IVluhammad Kor lives in the hills near Karatagin in the Alai valley.
He is said to have 12 000 men and four machine guns, and his brother Nur
Muhammad Bek 9,000 and three machine guns. The latter is living in the hills
north of the former’s area. They have an ally in one Mohi-ud-din Bek„a
Qirqiz, who holds a position on the banks of the Amu Darya in the Pamir hills
near Shaghlan. He is credited with 9,000 horsemen and three machine guns.
The three allies occasionally raid solitary Bolshevik posts. They have n&
jegular supplies and live by loot. Their man power is undoubtedly grossly
exaggerated, yet the figures given may refer to mail tribal numbers.
This agent reports meeting the 14th Turkestan Regiment at Rostovtzev©.
station (n route in trains to Andijan on the 10th July. The unit numbered
800 men and bad with it a huge gun measuring nine yards in length with a
muzzle diameter of 12 inches.
If the previous week’s Summary be referred to it will be seen that the
same or a similar gun passed Kaakhka on the 3rd July eastwards (Intelligence
Summary *1, page 7). No explanation is offered of the possible use for such
a weapon at Andijan. In fact the supposition is absurd and there can be no
doubt that the weapon was diverted at Ohernyaevo and taken north from there.
Karshi.—Zuly 5th. The garrison of Karshi was relieved recently, the
relieved units being sent to Kagan.
"W ork on the railway is in progress, the 6th Tashkent regiment being
employed also forced labour.
There is no scarcity of food. All produce is controlled, commencing from
the land and ending at the consumer. The villagers are suffering from these
methods and the Young Bokharans are repenting of their association with the
Bolsheviks.
There are persistent rumours of approaching autonomy for Bokhara under
the rule of the ^-Amir who is to be reinstated through the good offices of the
Amir of Afghanistan.
The Military Komissar is Zaliman, a Jew. The Military Komissar for Yasb
Bokhari is Mansur Khwaja. The City Governor is Bek Nazar Karawalbegi.
Kotta Kurgh&n —July 4th. Katta Kurgban is the headquarters of the
air service in the Bokharan Khanate.
There is discussion of the recent conference at Moscow on the union of
the Islamic Powers. It is believed that there is an offensive and defensive
alliance between the Soviet, Turkish Nationalist and Afghan Governments
vkich will be devoted to the good of Islam.
It is believed here also that the e.r-Amir of Bokhara is to be re-instated
and that there is going to be a war between England and Afghanistan, in
which event Russia will assist the Afghans.
Samarkand .—July 1st. There is no news of importance from this city.
The jail has been converted into a factory An East India Company trading post. for bootmaking, laundering and
tailoring. About 1,500 hands are employed.