Papers of the Interdepartmental Conference on Middle Eastern Affairs [‎32v] (64/290)

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Politically, the Russians actively support the Armenians, and on our arrival
expected a free hand to deal with the Tartars. Our attitude of working through the
existing Government lias puzzled them, and, despite declarations to the contrary, the
Russians are firmly convinced that the British intend to annex Azerbaijan and steal the
Baku oil. "there is a strong anti-British movement among the Russians, of which
General Bicharakov’s troops and fleet, paid largely by British money in the past, is the
centre, though Bicharakov himself is strongly pro-British. Hence the necessity of
getting rid of this army. With British support, the present Government would be
capable of maintaining order within the territories claimed for itself. It is hoped that
the Russians and Armenians will become gradually reconciled and busy themselves with
trade. The chief agitator against us is M. Minorsky, of the Russian Legation at Teheran.
The Tartars themselves are led by Hun Hoisky, an educated lawyer, who realises that
their only hope of autonomy is through Great Britain, but is opposed by Pan-Islamic
fanatics of the “ Mussawat ” party, who do not sufficiently recognise the victory of the
Allies. A recent rising organised by this party near Shusha was put down by Azerbaijan
troops. As a result, in Baku city the “ Mussawat ’ leaders, who have Bolshevist leanings,
are inclined to join the Russians in an anti-British policy.
The general situation in Azerbaijan depends almost entirely on the town of Baku.
Once this question is settled, the rest of Azerbaijan will probably resolve itself into a
settlement of the agrarian question between the Armenians and Mussulmans. There is
even a strong opinion that if the Baku district was held by an International Commission,
other questions would be settled with comparative ease. Owing to its wealth, the town
of Baku has an influence out of all proportion to its size, and owing to the fact that the
industries of Russia are largely dependent on Baku oil for their motive power.
Before the war the population was 350,000 ; it is now about 260,000, divided equally
between the three races. The Russians supply the skilled labour and have the prestige
of belonging to the ruling race in the past. Despite a proclamation to the contrary,
every man is armed, and it is probable that there are field guns and machine guns hidden
in the city and its vicinity. There are ample supplies of ammunition. The Russians
can produce some 11,000 armed men, the Armenians some 8,000. The result of a
prolonged strike might bring about a collision. The last strike showed that the labour
population of 65,000 was well organised and led by the Russians. At the present,
another general strike is in prospect. This is being staved off for the present, but a
climax is likely to arrive sooner or later, when it will be necessary to use armed force.
It would not be advisable to leave the Tartar Government to settle this strike. In order
to overawe the inhabitants .by a show of force, it is necessary to keep a minimum of an
infantry brigade and a brigade of artillery in Baku, while further troops should, be kept
on the oil-fields. The eventual disarmament of the population must also be considered.
In determining other garrisons, the Bolshevist movement in the north has to be
considered. The Bolshevists from a base at Astrakhan carry on an active propaganda,
and state that in the spring they intend to advance by sea and land on Baku. Roughly,
they occupy the line of the Kazi Yurt, where they are held by the North Caucasian and
Terek forces. At Petrovsk, where a British naval base has been established, and where
Bicharakov had a force of about 2,000 men, the general officer commanding at Baku
considers there ought to be a British brigade, but at present I have been able to spare
only one battalion. To keep off the Bolshevists it is essential to encourage the North
Caucasian people.
Centres of Unrest.
Shusha, some 70 miles south of Evlakh railway station, the centre of an
agricultural district, was garrisoned at 'the time of our occupation of Baku by two
Turkish battalions, and was about to be attacked by Andronik’s Armenian army. It
has now been overrun by Armenians, who are murdering the Tartars, who are
naturally retaliating, though their Government is trying its best to keep order. It has
heen necessary to send a company of British infantry to maintain order, but a battalion
would be safer.
On the Caspian, south of Baku, at Lenkoran and Mughan, there is a Russian
eolony capable of producing an armed militia of 5,000, at present assisted by 2,000 of
Bicharakov’s army. The general feeling is Bolshevist and anti-British. The Tartar is
held in subjection, and on the northern borders of Mughan is constantly raided by
armed Russian and Armenian bands. To allow the Azerbaijan Government to
enforce their authority here would lead to much bloodshed, and a British garrison will
oventually become necessary.