"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٥٢. الجزء I. (من ١ إلى ١٥ نوفمبر ١٩١٨.)" [و‎‎٦‎٣] (٥٥٨/١٣٤)

In reply General Officer Commandiner, Force “ D,” considers 1,500 rifles to
88370 be the minimum garrison required for
the effective occupation of Baku. If the
Krasnovodsk garrison can be spared, a force approximating to the above could
be despatched at once from Krasnovpdsk, Besht and Enzeli.
If the Krasnovodsk garrison cannot be spared it would take a fortnight to
move another battalion from Kasvian.
6. Persia. —In reply to H. M. Government’s statement as regards our
policy towards Persia, H. M. Minister at
Teheran considers it essential to meet the
as regards handing over the S. P. B. in
88088.
wishes of the Persian Government
Pars to the Persian Government.
88061.
agree-
87876.
87872.
The Indian Government is in
ment with the proposal.
West Persia. —No operations or imovements of our troops have been
reported.
Bushire. —The column moving from Shiraz on Firuzabad defeated Saulat’s
advanced troops on 23rd October. On
24th October the enemy’s main position
was captured and Ehtesham’s force re
lieved. Our casualties were Indian other ranks 3 killed, 13 wounded. The
enemy’s casualties are estimated at 220.
Daliki was occupied unopposed on 30th
88379, October.
Muhammad Ali Khan (Kashguli), an opponent of Saulat and Nasr-i~
Diwan of Kazarun, died at Shiraz about
the end of October.
South Persia. —On 19th October a small party of Arabs made a unsuccess"
ful attempt to raid a convoy about 30
87697 miles S. W. of Kirman. . 1 havildar of
the escort was wounded.
- *
Turkistan and Meshed.—A. report dated 30th October states that the
Bolsheviks have retired to Merv destroy-
87877 - mg the railway behind them.
General Malleson calculates that the railway track to Merv Front will be
completely restored in two weeks’ time,
88079. and the bridge will be thoroughly repaired
in four or five weeks.
Acute friction has broken out between the Turcomans and the Askabad
Government. There is general anarchy
87877 - in the southern portion of the Yamut
country.
In referring to the reported intention of Bicharakov to move his troops to
88353 Trans-Caspia, General Malleson is of
opinion that there is a very real daxger of
these troops being used against the Turkomans rather than against the Bol
sheviks. As we should be identified in Mahomedan eyes, with any such
action, we would incur great odium in all Moslem circles, with possibly mis
chievous results politically.
He considers that the small British Force already contempleted will suffice
to clear up Turkistan provided the Orenburg route is kept closed to the Bol
sheviks, with the result of greatly enhanced prestige for us throughout Central
Asia. General Malleson thinks it is to prevent this that Bicharakov is
anxious to come to Trans-Caspia and states that he has information to the
effect that Bicharakov and Minorski have drawn up a scheme for the establish
ment of a so-called Caspian-Caucasus State.
As regards the Persian occupation of Bussian Sarakhs, the Indian Govern-
88085 ment has pointed out to their Consul-
General at Meshed, the undesirability of
such action, which can hardly fail to provoke counter-aggression and may
possibly have a bad effect in Afghanistan.
8. Conclusion. —The conditions of the Armistice with Turkey remove the
Turco German menace eastwards towards India ; and retention of our forces
in Trans-Caspia and East Persia is now dependent on H. M. Government’s
policy vis-a-vis the Bolsheviks.
G. H. B.
The 4th November 1918.
N. C, B.
The 5th November 1918.
Since the above was written we have heard from Malleson that Merv and
Khushk have been occupied and that the Bolshevies have retired towards the
Oxus. It is not known to what exrent our British force there is co-operatinig,
but Malleson has been informed that until H. M. Government policy is indi
cated to us, British forces should not be employed east of Tejand.