File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎714r] (1075/1080)

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The arrest of Mehr Ali at Merv is confirmed from several sources. The
reason is not clear as he appeared to be accomplishing the devil’s work with
commendable zeal.
The present Persian situation is being exploited by speakers at all centres.
The Persians are congratulated on their good sense in at last recognising their
“ disinterested northern neighbour ” as their true ally, and on their determina
tion to speed the British and Indian troops under whose tyranny and barbarity
the land has been groaning for so long. If necessary Russian bayonets will
assist in the sacred task, but the British would be well-advised to retire volun-
tarilv and avoid useless blood-shed. Less has been heard for the moment of
the invasion of Khorasan. It is said, however, thad it may be necessary when
the “ snow has melted ” if the British have not retired. Rumours of Khuddu’s
imminent return to Khorasan with the object of aggression with Bolshevik
support are not infrequent.
22. Troop movements .—Prom the 23th December to 10th January Artik
has only reported the movement of 10 wagons of Russian and 3 of Sa\t troops
westward and 28 wagons of Russian troops and 1 gun eastwards. Troop
movements from Merv to Kushk are reported, but none m the opposite direc
tion. Reports tend to show an increase in numbers in the Kushk area.
23. Bolshevik garrisons.—Samara. 26th December. 3,500 troops, Russians,
Tatars and Kirghiz. Armed with 3-line rifle and clothing more satisfactory.
11 p’uns 2 airplanes. Hospitals are full and wounded (mostly old cases)
are still brought from Moscow and Perghana.- Bolshevik posters here acclaim jj
the American Legation at Tehran as “ a pillar of strength as regards Bolshevik |
propaganda ” with reference to the Perso-Bolshevik agreement.
Orenburg — 20ih December. 3,500 troops mostly Jews and iRussians. 8
guns and 1 airplane.
Tashkent. —31st December. 1,500 troops mostly Musulmans. Of 800
cavalry the majority are Turkman. Troops now well-armed with d-nne rifle
a elothino- improved. 8 field-guns and 2 airplanes seen, but a number of
suns ard abundant munitions reported to be in the fortress. Alany sick and
wounded are brought from Eerghana and hospitals are overcrowded.
^■.markand —1st January. 2,500 troops mostly Musulmans and including
300 cavalry Armed with 3-Hne rifle and fairly well clothed. 9 field-guns and
1 airplane seen. ^
Food conditions are relatively good and for this reason a number of women
and children have been brought from other places and accommodated m
barracks.
Practically all young and physically fit Sarts have been conscripted for
the army.
There are about 50 Indians of whom little notice is taken.
Kagan —31st December. 5,000 troops including Amirabad. Troops mostly
jvayan Garrison includes about 500 cavalry and
there are ^fiedd-guns at ^agan and 1 heavy and 2 field at Amirabad. . The
wireless station has recently become a transmitting as well as a receiving
station On above date a train of Bolshevik wounded arrived from Karshi.
TMta Bazar —1st January. 4,000 troops mostly Musulmans and includ
ing 800 c^aW who are quartered opposite Maruchak All armed w.th 3-line
in i 9 ulnv/and 18 field-guns estimated. Although the place is a mass of
trenches and barbed wire defence work still continues and there is talk of linking
up theTarious defence systems—Kushk, Yolatan and Merv. 2 airplanes in flying
condition. ^ ^ ^ ^ D ecem ber 3 troop-trains passed from Merv to
Kushk. Much wheeled and animal transport is being accumulated at Kushk
81111 * 31st December. 4,500 troops. Cherniaev, Kazan, Turkistan, and
TashkentTunits identified but numbers of units not known. /Another source
repiorts^hat the 14th 1 from^er^hana^on ^31st