File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎641r] (929/1080)

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probably preparatory to restoration to Persia.
Large exports of raisins and barley are passing through Jiristan to
Russia.
Bajgiran .—A question was lately raised by Muhammad Taqi Khan
regarding the barricade erected by the British when occupying this post. Its
purpose was to deny entry into Persia from Russia along the Askhabad-
Quchan Road. The officer courteously deferred to our wishes, stating it had
been reported to him that the walls contained a mine which might be exploded
Avere they demolished. After consultation with the Consul General a reply
Avas sent to him to the effect that there were no explosives in the walls but
that a mine existed at a point calculated to cause destruction of the road on
the approach along it of an biA-ader. He was at liberty to remo\ T e all obstruc
tions but in the present disturbed state of the country perhaps it Avould be in
the interests of Persia to leaA^e things alone. i j
On the withdrawal of the British this mine failed to be exploded and, so /
far as is knoAvn, remains in situ quo.
Darragaz. —News of the disturbances in this sub-province is scant}'' OAving
to the passes being held by Zabardast Khan. Travellers and agents are thus
preA r ented from getting through.
Mansur-ul-Mulk, the Awnerable uncle of Zabardast Khan and appointed
Governor by the deposed GoA’ernor General, has arrived at Muhammadabad,
the chief toAvn of Darragaz.
Khudo has been inactive. It is fairly apparent he got into trouble Avith
his erstwhile sponsors, the Bolsheviks, -and had to remove himself from
Russian territory. The policy of the Meshed authorities with regard to him
and Zabardast Khan is to temporise for the present, such policy of caution
being dictated by paucity of troops and inability to risk the necessity of a
punitive expedition.
Quchan .—The small force despatched bore on first intimation of the dis
turbances in Darragaz is still in the toAvn, their chief duty to date having been
the arrest of the Governor and his deportation to Meshed. A local Kurd
chief, Taj Muhammad Khan, has been appointed deputy governor with probable
investment in full poAvers as soon as the military control of the place is
removed.
Lutfabad. —Between the dates 22nd and 26th March the follOAving troops
are reported to have passed Artik westwards
/ 59 carriages Russian troops.
17 carriages Sart troops.
24 A\ T agons with 8 horses in each.
5 truck loads of carts (transport or traA T elling kitchens not deter-
min/ate).
5 wagons loads labours.
No troops movements Avere reported eastwards.
Between the 26th and 29th—
Westwards :—
18 carriages mixed tribes, armed.
11 carriages Sart troops, unarmed.
6 Avagon loads horses, 6 in each.
1 automobile.
Eastwards :—
39 carriage loads unarmed troops probably demobilized from 1 st
division.
Archingem .'—Bolshevik armed soldiers are reported paying visits _ to this
Persian post, probably in search of food. They come from the frontier post
of Khivabad, south of Kaakha. Discontent of the populace at Kaakha is
reported by this correspondent.