'Volume I. MEMORANDA REGARDING PERSIA AND NORTH-WEST TRANS-FRONTIER. 1905.' [‎138r] (280/310)

Memorandum of information received during
the month of November 1905, regarding
affairs on and beyond the North-[Vest
Frontier of India.
[Not*.—T his memorandum is based upon reports, the accuracy of
which it ia not always possible to guarantee.]
TRANS-CASPIA, RUSSIAN TURKESTAN,
AND THE PAMIRS.
The situation in Trans-Caspia and Russian
Turkestan appears to have slightly improved,
and the excitement caused by the Baku
disturbances seems to be dying out; but the
frequent robberies and general lawlessness
which prevail prove the great difficulty which
the Russians have in maintaining order. The
authorities maintain a vigilant watch on the
illicit traffic in arms. A general search in the
houses of the Armenians at Tashkand brought
to light a considerable quantity of arms and
ammunition, and similar captures have been
made at other centres. Great activity still pre
vails in the purchase and despatch of provisions
and stores (see last Journal)—especially in the
direction of the Upper Oxus posts. Consider
able movements of troops are reported, but
these are probably connected with the return
of parties from summer camps and the ordinary
reliefs.
Traders returning from Khokand report
that the Russians have made a survey for a
railway from Samarkand to Mazar-i-Sharif in
Afghanistan; and that the contract for con
struction has been given to Russian contractors,
who have undertaken to complete the work in
two years. The report probably refers to the
intended railway extension from Samarkand
to the Oxus.
Both the Russian and Afghan authorities
have made unsuccessful attempts to raise a
battalion of infantry in Russian and Afghan
Shignan, respectively, the people urging that
the population is not large enough for the
purpose. The Afghans have, however, enlisted
50 Shignani sowars.
The following is the latest information as
to the strength of certain Russian garrisons
Krasnovodsk .—250 Cossacks; 1,200 in
infantry; 25 mountain, 32 field and horse,
and 5 heavy, guns.
Fata Kesar .—20 staff officers, 130 regi
mental officers, and 6,140 soldiers.
Kushk. —4,000 men; 130 heavy and 300
light guns.