IN CENTRAL ASIA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1920, Page 1

IN CENTRAL ASIA

(By Electric Telegraph—Co might.)

deceived This Dai il t b. 45 a.m.) ALLAHABAD, Jam 10

With the entry of the Bolsheviks into Bokhara, the road to Afghanistan and the Indian frontier is now open. It is expected the Bolsheviks will shortly establish communication with Persia In Central Asia there are no settled Governments and the population is suffering an active economic distress. If they assisted the Afghans, who aic sullen under the recent defeat, the 80l sheviks could create a dangerous situation on the Indian frontier. Tlie present, British troops in India are untrained in frontier warfare, and the officers are ignorant of the conditions, lhe old troops have been demobilised and sent to England. The present Amir of Afghanistan aspires to the formation of pan-Islaniio League. The discontent of the Moslems against the Turkish peace terms is also great. With the hel.) of Bolshevik agitators a strong anti-British propaganda i s being conducted in Central Asia. Tlie Bolsheviks hope to have fifty thousand troops in Tashkent by the spring. Enver Pasha who commands a rabble army in this area, is reported to have visited Taskliend and met the Bolshevik commanders. Persia is still in a state of unrest and there is a steady growth of a campaign against the Anglo-Per-sian agreement. Disturbances are taking place in North Persia and communication with Tides and Armenia is cut off. South Persia is under British control and is quiet. The situation generally is arousing much speculation in India.