ملف رقم ٥٢ لسنة ١٩١٢ الجزء ٣ "يوميّات بلاد فارس" [و‎‎١‎٦‎٧] (١١٢٨/٣٤٤)

The C. A. line as far as Kaghan lias been restored from the east and the
damage done to the Termez line on the section Kaghan Karshi repaired. It
has been reported that the section Kaghan-Charjui has now been restored, work
having proceeded from both ends, but at any rate communication has not been
renewed as yet. The Bolsheviks are holding points on the line in strength and
are also reported in strength at Kaghan. It is the general native opinion that
they will not be satisfied without the rich loot of Bokhara. The terms imposed
on the Amir are generally that he should hear all expenses of repair to tho
lines, should supply 200 wagons of grain, and should pay a very heavy contri
bution in coin. Far more stringent terms have also been reported but I await
confirmation or otherwise of these.
It is now stated that the Amir received no support from Khiva, and it is
possible that the Turkoman contingent which fought for tho Bolsheviks were
mistaken for Khiva n Turkomans proceeding to the Amir’s assistance.
Tashkent is reported to he in a bad way. Little attention is paid to the
Bolshevik commissioners, and anarchy is rampant. |lb, flour is allowed daily
and natives there are stated to be dying 44 like flies ” of starvation. Trans*
caspia is relatively quiet, but the natives state that throughout Turkistan “ no
men is master of his life or his goods as soon as night has fallen ”. The
manager of the Banque d’Escompte here informs me that British troops are
eagerly awaited at Ashkabad where the uon-Bolshevik Russians are wondering
at their delay in arrival.
Communications remain very difficult. A telegram despatched from
Merv on the 1st instance announcing the Bokharan peace reached me on the
18th instant. I have just received one from Bujnurd dated the 7tli instant
stating that 11 Austrian prisoners had been despatched to Tehran. It had
lain for 12 days in the Telegraph Office here. (Both apparently referred to
other matters)
An agent left about months ago to collect reports. In common with
other travellers in the post-wagon he was robbed of all he had a few miles from
Meshed. On second venture he was robbed on the C. A. Railway. He
was seized at Kaghan and had the narrowest escape of being killed by the
Sarts. and was again robbed on the way back here, his companion being killed.
Of all except the robbery in the train I have corroborative evidence.® A second
messenger was seized by the Bolsheviks at Charjui and narrowly escaped being
shot as a Sart.
Meshed ; E, A. F. REDL, Lieutenant-Colonel,
!-
The 20th April 1P18.J General Staff Officer.
S443SBG—40—1-6-18—GOPS