Vladimir P.Parkin.
Why "Conquista in Russian"?
History and politics.
"Conquista in Russian" - the first book of the Pentalog military adventure novels under the title "The Sword and the Cross of rotmistr Kudashev." Books about Russian captain (rotmistr), officer of "First Chief Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Empire (Military Intelligence).
Conquista (Spanish Conguista -. Gain), a term used in the historical literature in relation to the period of the Spanish and the Portuguese in the late 15th and 16th century conquest of Central and South America. Movies conquistadors, participants conquests accompanied by the extermination and enslavement of the tribes and peoples of the West Indies, Central and South America, the devastation and looting of entire areas, vandalism, violence and mass torture. Stolen gold, slaves and land enriched the metropolis, the conquistadors themselves, adventurers and filibusters of all stripes ... (source: "Great Soviet Encyclopedia").
Russian expansion into Central Asia is fundamentally different from the Conquest, and other colonial wars in Asia and Africa, who led the monarchy in England, France, Germany, Italy. Conquest of the Khanate of Khiva, Bukhara Emirate was not originally sent in the robbery, on the enslavement of indigenous peoples, on the uncontrolled exploitation of new territories. By the time the Turkestan military companies economy despotic monarchies of Khiva and Bukhara feudal states was based on slavery, the use of slave labor, slave. Slaves were mined military raids. On the markets of Bukhara and Khiva, you could buy slaves from Persia, Afghanistan, and even from the Caucasus or from India, but the highest price allowed for prisoners in Russia.
The well-known American journalist, war correspondent of the newspaper "New York Herald" and the London newspaper "Daily News" Mr. Januarius Aloysius MakGahan wrote about slavery and the slave trade in Central Asia in the 19th century:
"... Here there is also a slave market. Capture the Russian and Persian subjects, and selling them into slavery lasted for a long time. In the first half of this century, the number of Russian-slaves was great; according to the aforementioned source, there were up to 2,000 before the expedition of General Perovsky. But during this campaign, in 1839-40 years, the majority of Russian were released and deported to Orenburg. Under the contract, zaklyuchen¬nomu after this unfortunate expedition Colonel Danilevsky with Khiva Khan, the latter undertook not to permit trade more Russian prisoners. Although this treatise and another prisoner in 1858, trade in Russian slaves continued, although not in such large amounts.
Russian Slaves were sold recently in the markets of Khiva, 100 and even 200 Till for everyone; Persians men were sold for 70, and young girls and boys under the age of 14 years were sold from 60 to 300 and Tilley (Khiva gold coin). Slaves Russian were valued higher than the Persians, because they work better; for the most part they were battered to Khan. Some Russian received even honorable purpose, they entrusted the command of the army or artillery training.
Persia delivered the largest number of slaves. Turkmens captured in the Persian border huge Persian "shiits" or heretics. Turkmens deliberately treated these prisoners could not be more savagely. According Vambery, they almost never have allowed, for fear that the slaves will be force to escape. Not to mention the terrible scourge of beatings, torture, all kinds of them tortured in a position to come up alone aziyatskie barbarians. At night they were tied so tightly that they could neither stand nor sit. It is clear that they are delivered perfect Khiva skeletons. "
Januarius Aloyzius MakGahan. "Military action on the Oxus and the fall of Khiva."
Russian military intervention in Central Asia marked the end of slavery and the slave trade.
Tens of thousands of slaves were returned to their homes. But Persia was forced to release and return to his homeland in Merv and Khiva Turkmen-slaves.
Political and legal reforms have been made on the new for the Russian territories, which are not contrary to the common European principles of state and law.
First it abolished slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited!
On the newly acquired Russian territory remained the administrative rights of the Emir of Bukhara and Khiva Khan with respect to the indigenous population, to the extent not contrary to Russian law. Persisted private property rights, freedom of religion.
In the territories of the Russian monetary system was introduced.
Khiva and Bukhara were deprived of rights declaration of war and conclusion of international agreements. Verdicts in criminal cases for offenses for which the death penalty relied, could only make the domestic courts.
Curb ancient Teke military custom "alaman" - robbery.
Immigrants from Russia could settle only on the local population of undeveloped lands. It was built railroads, factories, power plants. From the United States are issued more productive cotton varieties and new agricultural technologies being introduced. Open schools, vocational schools, high schools and universities. Build hospitals. Russian doctors are in Central Asia, a real war with traditional epidemics and epizootics.
Turkestan firmly stood on the budget of the Russian Empire ...
It is worth to note: None of the fiscal year at any time since the year of accession to the Russian territory of Turkestan to the budget of the Russian Empire was not on the 1917 surplus!
That's why the novel is named "Conquista in Russian."
There was also a major reason for the Russian expansion in the Central Asian Turkestan.
At the end of the 70s of the 19th century exacerbated the struggle of Russia and Britain for influence in Central Asia. England worried promoting Russia to the borders of India.
V.A.Tugan Mirza-Baranovsky, a member of a military expedition, in his book "in Russian Akhal-Teke", referring to the pan-European opinion that existed at the time of the Adjutant General Lazarev to Geok-Tepe 1879, calls several reasons Russian expansion in Central Asia, including - military confrontation England, actively to strengthen its position of power not only in India but also in Afghanistan and in Iran.
American journalist, a correspondent for the British newspaper "Daily News" the witness taking Khiva Januarius Aloyzius MakGahan (1844-1878) concerns the British politicians and the military did not share.
He's writing:
"I will only say that, in my opinion, the conquest of Khiva and even Her accession, if it has been committed, may not be important in the Russian approach to India. Fall of Khiva is, of course, have a strong influence on all nrav¬stvennoe Mohammedan population of Central Asia. Until now Khiva considered inaccessible and nepobe¬dimoyu, and after the fall of Bukhara was the last great pillar of Islam in Central Asia. Her conquest pod¬tverdit already very widespread belief in nepobedi¬most Russian.
But apart from this moral prestige, conquest of Khiva is of little value ...
I'm not one of those who believe in traditional Russian conquest po¬litiku regarding Central Asia. I also do not believe that the Russian had some views of India. They see that between their possessions and English have space area, which must sooner or later fall into the hands of one or the other powers, and they are not averse to attach itself as succeed. "
Januarius Aloyzius MakGahan. "Military action on the Oxus and the fall of Khiva."
The last stronghold of the slave remained a fortress Dengil Tepe, which officially and colloquially called Geok-Tepe on behalf of the hill on which was located the main citadel. Teke Turkmen tribe was the only tribe that prefers Rogue freedom of peaceful coexistence and cooperation with its neighbors - Russia and Persia (Iran).
"... Their main passion - raids and predation by delivering them prey, captive, as well as honor and glory among tribesmen. Their raids affected especially Persians border with them the field of Khorasan and Khivans which Teke rob and gone to work ... The attacks of our caravans have led to the fact that commercial traffic between Hivoyu and the Caspian Sea completely stopped ... The need to protect against these robbers of our trading relations in the Transcaspian region, as well as our ownership in this area and submit to us the Turkmen tribes, prompted our government to undertake an expedition to the steppes mainly for lasting lessons of the country by subordinating us these nomads.
The magazine "Niva", 1881, ¹6 (1), s.138-140
The first military expedition to Geok-Tepe ends with the complete collapse of the Russian. Adjutant-General Davidovich Ivan Lazarev (Hovhannes Lazaryan, 1820 -. 14 August 1879 years) died of inflamed carbuncle early as the march on the outskirts of Geok-Tepe. The command of the expeditionary force receives Major General Nikolai Pavlovich Lomakin (1830-1902). Storm ends with the defeat of the fortress by storm. Turkomans celebrate victory.
In 1880 the Russian Emperor Alexander II instructs Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev lead an expedition of the Russian troops in the Akhal-Teke oasis of Turkmenistan. The main goal of the campaign - to master the fortress of Geok-Tepe - the main support base of the Turkomans.
In May 1880, Lieutenant General Skobelev arrived in Krasnovodsk and headed the Russian troops, who spoke in the direction of the oasis of Akhal-Teke. They are the results of a failed expedition were taken into account. This time the campaign was prepared more thoroughly.
Already out of the walls of the fortress Skobelev said in Tbilisi: "The capture of Geok-Tepe ("Green Hill" in Turkmen) has a serious matter. The enemy decided to fight hard and everything prepared. "As the fortress fell, wrote many - and witnesses participating assault, and those who are "Green Hill" never seen. Referring to the document:Extract from the entries in the Journal of the Staff of the Caucasian Military District number 11732 on June 3, 1881 on the basis of the Reports of the Chief of Staff of the Expeditionary Corps in Geok-Tepe, Major-General N.I. Grodekov:
"Storm of the fortress Dengli Tepe January 12, 1881
... In the 10 1/2 hour. in the morning the chief engineer sent an order to blow up the mines to the position of the Grand Duke and to bring about the advance of the explosion point.
However, all the artillery was ordered to heavily bombard the south-east corner of the fortress of grenades and shrapnel for half an hour. Despite such reinforced fire, the enemy occupied collapses and hard shot back. At 11 o'clock on the Stavropol redoubt received a report that the mines are ready to be blown up at 11 hours and 20 minutes since 20 minutes is necessary to withdraw the column of Colonel Kuropatkin troops advanced from tranches to lumps of clay from the exploded walls could not defeat them. Exactly 11 hours and 20 minutes on the eastern end of the bulge of the fortress rose high column of smoke and earth with a great roar.
Mina was blown up and formed comfortable for climbing collapse 20 "fathoms' length.
After the explosion of mines, artillery changed its purpose and became to bombard the north-east corner and the northern part of the fortress. It began storming assault columns and columns of Lieutenant Colonel Gaydarov.
In 11 1/2 hours half-company of the 2nd company Shirvan regiment was ordered to storm traverse ¹2.
Attack 2 support half-company of the same company, and mountain guns from Turkestan Kala. Half-company Shirvan regiment, having led his commander, Lieutenant Bulygin, seized traverse ...
... In 12 1/2 hours, the troops of Colonel Kuropatkin column entered into relationship with Colonel Colon Kozelkov that the collapse of the artillery advancing inside the fortress on the hill Dengli Tepe. At the same time the collapse were imported and 3 mountain guns "kartechnitsa". The enemy began to retreat and take to the hill Dengli Tepe. Some of his masses toward the front of the north gate and went into the desert ...
... The attack columns of troops took place in a harmonious manner, with music, drumming and flowing banners. Throughout the enemy resistance was crushed without much difficulty. The greatest resistance met convoy captain Foc, which in this case was able to recapture our two mountain guns taken Turkomans in the attack on 28 and 30 December. At 1:00 pm banner 3rd Battalion, Shirvan regiment has waved on the hill. By order of the commander of it subsequently replaced here the imperial standard. More columns at the same time reached the northern front of the fortress and occupied most wall. Treading along the east wall, hunters Lieutenant Voropanov Teke possess a weapon, and 4 icons. In addition, together with hunters 2 rotoyu Shirvan regiment and part of the 4 battalion of the Apsheron Regiment seized the banner of 4 battalions of the Apsheron regiment, Turkomans taken during the raids 28 December 1881 Turkomans had the audacity to put a banner in front of their ranks, removing the cover as if in mockery.
Our loss on 12 January. Killed: senior officers - 4, Captain 2 Turkestan artillery brigade Gren, 74 Lieutenant Infantry Regiment Stavropol Merhelov, a centurion of the Ural Division of Turkestan hundreds Kunakovskaya, Ensign Transcaspian local battalion Moritz, the lower ranks - 55.
Injured: Staff officers 3, the commander of 3rd Battalion, 74 Infantry Stavropol Regiment Colonel Tseprinsky-Tsekava, commander of 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry of the Apsheron regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Popov, commander of the 4 battalion of the same regiment, an army captain aide-adjutant Count Orlov-Denisov, (senior officers 15 ) sapper company captain Getshel 4 battery 19th artillery Brigade captain Mitkevich-Volshansky, Apsheron regiment captain Harkevich, Dagestan regiment captain Davydov, artillery lieutenant Yurenev, Shirvan regiment lieutenant Arhaetsky, Apsheron regiment lieutenant Popov and Dehterov, lieutenant of police Mohammed Apsheron regiment warrant Kasherininov and Usachev, Stavropol regiment Dzerdzievsky Prince Andronicus, the Life Guards horse-Grenadier regiment ensign Ushakov and midshipman Mayer; 236. The lower ranks of wounded: 10 Officers: Apsheron Regiment and Lieutenant Kurkmasov Benislavsky, 1st Turkestan line battalion Lieutenant Kalitin, Apsheron regiment lieutenant Miznevsky and Rudnev, ensigns and Lebedinsky Bogoslavskih, artillery lieutenant Ivanov, 15 Tver Dragoon Regiment ensign Forsten and Taman Regiment Chigrin cornet. The lower ranks of 75. 47 horses were killed, wounded 24.
Fired cartridges: 273804 infantry, cavalry 12510, 5864 shells, 224 combat missiles.
Retaken from the enemy two mountain guns taken during raids on 28 and 30 December 1880 and the banner of the Apsheron regiment.
Taken 1 instrument 5 icons and 1,500 pieces of rifles, pistols and grenades.
The loss of a huge enemy. After the capture of the fortress in 6500 buried her body. In pursuit also killed up to 8,000 people. "
At the end of hostilities in order to appease the local population's military command has announced an amnesty to all those who fought against Russia, he returned to the land, the surviving homes, medical treatment was provided.
January 18, 1881, Colonel Kuropatkin entered Ashh Abad village without a fight.
Of the several following citations in the 19th century, Europeans could create an image of the local population of the Transcaspian region - Turkmens:
"It should be noted that the remarkable feature in Turkomans - a complete inability to get true spies for any money. Devotion to his people, they still so strong that neither gifts nor threats can not force any evidence and, therefore, can only know what is extracted by the troops. Nearby tribes Yomud and Geoklen also so confident in the strength and invincibility of the Teke Turkomans, and that one can never be people who have decided to go to them as spies. "
From the report of Major General N.P.Lomakin
"After the first news of the victory, and details about the dead and wounded, further details are not appearing on the progress of the company, which makes it impossible to judge what the results bring us victory. If in addition to 30 thousand defending Geok-Tepe, Turkmens have more troops, the General Skobelev need reinforcements. Authorities in the British press of all shades converge in recognizing the valor of General Skobelev and his squad. Courage and fortitude, to show both sides, greatly impressed the minds of the English. "The desperate tenacity showed Akhal-Teke tribe in defending, almost unprecedented in the annals of Central Asia, says one newspaper, and our happiness, that Afghans were not like sons of the Turkmen steppes."
Political Review. Battle of Geok-Tepe.
The magazine "Niva", 1881, ¹5, p.115.
"The heroic siege and heroic resistance! We can not give justice and enemies who fought with extraordinary tenacity in Central Asia, displaying valor, honor and making civilized armies. "
"The art of Turkmens in the defense and the strength of their fortresses explained very interesting information placed in the Journal de St. Petersbourg. English Major Butler has published details of his trip to the Turkmen steppe with the purpose of training, arming Turkmen and strengthen their communities. This trip, which is now fully proved, was made at the expense and on the initiative of the British Government at Beaconsfield. "
The magazine "Niva", 1881, ¹6 (1), s.138-140.
"Tekke these fellows would make a few hundred cavalry under the Vienna - not the last thing."
Infantry General Mikhail Skobelev.
"11" November 1881 in Ashkhabad, Turkmen elders of clans and tribes Akhal-Teke oasis, signed "oath" of loyalty to Russia. Its chapters contain a ban on the slave trade, a ban on "alaman" - robbery, is charged with the duty of Turkmen compensation for damages in case of violation of these prohibitions. Russia for its part, has committed to preserve the local government does not interfere in the internal affairs of Turkmenistan, in the case of religion, but reserved the right to declare war and make peace, the right to the death penalty, the right to circulation on the territory of Trans-Caspian region Russia Russian currency - the ruble. Execution of contracts and the sanctity of Russian laws on the newly acquired territories was guaranteed Russian military presence.
Chief of Staff of the Battle of Geok Tepe Major General N.I. Grodekov in the form of rigid imperial answers (from 15 April 1881.) on certain letter-Aziz Sardar with an appeal to return to the Akhal Teke:
"Great Sardar (military commanders) of the White King (referring to M.D.Skobelev) once and for all the people declared Akhal "aman" (forgiveness, mercy) and invited him to return to their lands. Correspondence with individuals, even with the Makhtumkuli Khan, he has neither the time nor the need.
Word Sardar - law; it is hard as steel, sure as death. Before death all are equal; before God all are equal; all are equal before the word and Sardar; and Makhtumkuli Khan to Russian law is.
What I am telling the truth, believe me. That's what the Russian law!
Representative of the Russian authorities in Ahal Now General Rerberg.
Read this letter and understand its meaning. It told the truth. I am a trustee of the Great Sardar. However, as you know. In our books says: Freestyle - Will, Salvation - haven.
Chief of Staff Major General Grodekov ".
CSA TSSR, p. 97, op.1, d. 135, l. 5.
Russia begins to actively colonize the Transcaspian region. The first years the area was called "Military" because It is managed by the Ministry of War.
Built Railway. Villages and towns grow into cities. Laid factories.
In 1883, the head of the Trans-Caspian region appointed Alexander Komarov - General of Infantry. Under him, in 1884, actually attached to the Russian territory, without bloodshed, oases of Merv, Tejen, Serakhs and Iolatansky fixed for the Russian combat Kushka at March 18, 1885 (Russian-Afghan conflict), with the addition of Pendin oasis. Area attached area is 196,327 square meters. miles.
Adjutant-General Aleksey Kuropatkin, assault Geok-Tepe party in March 1890 was appointed Head of the Trans-Caspian region. His residence in Ashkhabad. For example, in Russian, it was renamed the town or village Ashk-Abad, previously put on any map of the world. In Arabic, "Ashk" - love, Farsi and Turkic "Abad" - city. It turns out - "City of Love"! The small village of five hundred yurts and mud two hundred small houses - in his eyes turns into a strategic railway station, the station - in the capital.
We construct two-storey apartment buildings, hotels, banks, broken squares and parks. Unfold gymnasiums, real College.
In Ashkhabad open their consulates of Iran, Turkey.
European baths on the streets of Stavropol, the Station and Bunin existed for over a hundred years old, having survived the 1948 earthquake. Persian women's bath (in front of the west side of the first park), remarkable for its dome, demolished only in the eighties of the twentieth century!
Strengthening built on "the Hill" on the sketches of Kuropatkin, it lost its military purpose in a few years. "Hill" for many decades, has become a favorite askhabadtsami summer restaurant, famous for its kebabs, kebabs and a local beer, which is brewed in the German natural delicious water of the "Golden Key".
the first motion picture "Askhabad" opened in the capital of the Transcaspian "23" in April 1901.
Open Russian Drama Theatre, the scene which can be seen not only artists Askhabadskoy troupe, but also guest performances of the Alexandrinsky Theatre. "11" in January 1910 the audience enthusiastically took Komissarzhevskaya, V.P.Dalmatova, L.B.Yavorskaya.
Built and brings a decent income to the owners of the circus capital building. Put into use urban thermal power plant. In November 1905 in Ashkhabad beginning subscriber maintenance telephone station for two hundred and fifty rooms (concessionaire merchant Rahtazamer).
Officials get sesquialteral compared with Russian salaries. The new colony takes peasant settlers. Irrigation works are under way, plowed under cereals and cotton under all more or less suitable land. On Murghab (above Merv - a modern Mary) built the first hydroelectric power plant in Central Asia.
In the same area created a private estate of the king's house Romanov, comes to St. Petersburg, and then in the Kremlin the best fruits of rainfed agriculture - melon "vaharman".
In Bairam-Ali - the first All-Russian health resort for patients with kidney diseases - Hospital name of Tsarevich Alexei.
Background: In 1985, the author visited the health resort and was surprised beheld surviving majolica finish of the gable of the building with the inscription of the pre-revolutionary.
Activated trade with Iran, India (in the face of the East India Company).
Laid and built the Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant churches. Personal guardianship Kuropatkina begins construction of the Baha'i mosque.
Construct railway stations, telegraphs, hospitals, power plants, schools, libraries. It implements policies for the finest balance of mentalities, cultural, ethnic, economic and religious differences, multiethnic society. The Trans-Caspian region is no officer of the first link, does not speak the Turkmen language.
Skobelev himself was not afraid to make multi-day horse transitions without his Cossack escort, unless accompanied by former enemies - the armed Turkomans.
Peaceful friendly relations with the Russian Turkmens were laid in the 1881 is Skobelev, who feared that respect, which is believed. All his orders, instructions issued during the period of January-December 1881 imbued with concern for the possible violation by the Russian side as desired and have found the balance of power and mutual interests!
It is no accident Turkmen tribe Ersary on its Obshcheplemennaja gathering (maslakhaty) unanimously elected Skobelev MD their Khan!
Background: In the Central State Military Archives of historically stored unique document (TSGVIA, ; 400, etc. 60. 1885, L 2..) - PETITION tribe Ersary for admission to the citizenship of the White King (Russian) duly sealed with the signatures and seals of respected persons bais with accompanying prayer (fatiha). Translation - Colonel Gaytabagicha, certification - Colonel Nazarov.
To honor the Russian soldiers and colonists: from 1881 to 1917 there was no crime committed by Russian who'd brushed against national or religious feelings of Turkmens.
Ashkhabad ethnically from the outset formed as a multi-ethnic society. From Russia - Russian, Mordvinians, Ukrainians, Jews; the Caucasus - Armenians, Caucasian Tatars (Azerbaijanis); Kopetdag Persians (Iranians); Central Asian nations - Uzbeks, Kazakhs. Military class filled up Ashkhabad Poles. On the day the Soviet collapse in Ashgabat elite intellectuals were Polish names - Sapieha, Sapegin, V;tkovice, Mikulichi, Shakurskie, Drzhevskie and others.
In short, in Central Asia entered Europe a firm foothold in the face of Russia.
UK anxiously watched the progress of Russia: getting closer and closer to the borders of India.
Russian-British confrontation in the Middle East and Central Asia has never developed into open armed conflict. However, the "Shadow War" was fought without a declaration, quiet, proxy, not counting the losses, without sentimentality and glorify their heroes.
Neither the British nor the Russian had no shortage of smart, talented, knowledgeable, capable of reincarnation officers, ready to fulfill all the most dangerous and the most unhygienic operations. Laura Austrian agent Vambery the Empire, under the guise of a dervish who lived for many years in Khiva, who wrote the book, immediately translated into all the languages of Europe and became a bestseller - circling many young heads. But who among ordinary knights of cloak and dagger knew in those years on dozens of British diplomats and agents of illegal immigrants who were tortured in the prisons of Bukhara and Khiva!
British intelligence quite successfully resisted the Russian intelligence.
However, the UK has never stopped "Great Game", the real purpose of which would be not only the English patronage over the Transcaspian region, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Kokand, and complete the colonization of these territories.
"Big game". Under this name it was known to those who are playing it, risking the lives of others. In the novel Kipling's "Kim" the merrymaking taught in wonderful exotic package. The reality - in belles-lettres not fit. This theme is always the workers and the secret service documents.
Only in 1918 the United Kingdom has finally been able to use intelligence obtained from the "Great Game". "28" in June 1918 the United Kingdom introduced the occupying forces under the command of Wilfred Malleson in the Trans-Caspian region. Intervention. In the streets of Ashkhabad marching sepoys in red turbans, tobacco-colored tunics, stamping wooden soles on the hot pavement area Skobeleva ... shoot Bolsheviks, commissars and other uncomfortable, including potentially dangerous, refuses to cooperate with "the color of European civilization" - the officers of the gendarmerie . The celebration did not last long - a year. Under the onslaught of the Red Army under the command of Frunze, the British were forced to leave the Transcaspian. Then began a very different story ...
11 - 12 July 1918 as a result askhabadskogo insurgency with the support of the British Military Mission in Mashhad (North Iran) formed transcaspian government (or the Provisional Executive Committee of the Trans-Caspian region). Combined, the Socialist-Revolutionaries, Mensheviks, Turkmen nationalists, Dashnaks. Chairman Fedor Andrianovich Funtikov, SR, proletarian, an employee of the railway, a locomotive driver.
On July 12 in Kyzyl-Arvat he was killed Chairman of People's Commissars of the Council and a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Turkestan Soviet Republic on the Trans-Caspian region A.I.Frolov and soldiers of his unit.
On the night of July 22 at Merv - Chairman of the National Economy Council and a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Turkestan Soviet Republic P.G.Poltoratsky.
On the night of July 23 - 9 askhabadskih commissioners, 20 September - 26 Baku commissars. July 28 British troops began the occupation of the Transcaspian. August 19 temporary Transcaucasian government signed with General William Malleson agreement under which the Trans-Caspian region is actually under the authority of the British interventionists. In January 1919, Malleson dispersed transcaspian government and established a military dictatorship by creating a puppet, the Committee of Public Safety (of 5 persons). July 9, 1919 the Red Army liberated Ashkhabad, and in February 1920 - the whole Transcaspian. Chairman transcaspian government SR Fedor Andrianovich Funtikov was tried and executed in 1926. The materials of the criminal case is still not available.
In London, dozens of monuments to the heroes - generals known and not known to the world community. Wilfred Malleson monument no. No unnecessary. A normal person after meeting with the tenth monument in marble or bronze, as a rule, loses interest in them. But standing between the monument to the Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley and the Arc de Triomphe his own behalf white marble memorial surrounded by a patinated bronze figures in the memory and in the eternal glory of the British artillerymen who died as in the womb, and outside of the British Empire. At the foot of the bronze statue of the monument - a corpse gunner laid his own overcoat and a soldier's helmet.
Which winds the soul could leave the body?
This question is answered by the inscription on the white marble: Egypt, France, Flanders, Italy, Central Asia, Persia, Africa, Macedonia, the Dardanelles, Mesopotamia, India, Russia, Palestine, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera ...
A monument to this can give an answer to many questions. Englishmen are proud of their history. They feel no shame and no regrets about the tragedies of others, and its people caused by the colonial wars. They do not bring and do not intend to apologize nations emerging from the colonial period, enslavement and unbridled exploitation of their countries. "The enlightened civilized" Europe, the United Kingdom, including, I never thought to bring their apologies to Russia for the damage caused by the Crimean War, the intervention of 1918-1919, destroyed Sebastopol, Murmansk, Transcaucasia, Turkestan, the Transcaspian ...
Britain did not hesitate in marble and bronze to perpetuate their "Atkins" dead who have laid down their lives in countries that are very far from the location of the monument, etched inscriptions in white marble, which must be bled.
In Russia, the same as always, "the exact opposite": in 1912 in Moscow on Tverskaya Square was a monument Skobelev, but in 1918 Soviet decree "On the removal of monuments to kings and their servants ..." I was demolished. To this day, not in Moscow or M.D. Skobelev monuments or other heroes of Turkestan.
*****
Soon the infamous date of the expulsion of the English invaders from the Soviet (Russian) Turkestan celebrate one hundred years. But the memory of the criminal short period of occupation under the guise of the Transcaspian governor-general of British India with the capital Ashgabat and under the governor-general Wilfred Malleson - preserved. Especially in terms of an extrajudicial execution with the twenty-six by Baku and Ashgabat nine commissioners. And not only in the names of those executed. Who would have thought these victims in those terrible years. This blood is not washed off any water, any time!
British expeditionary force came within the borders of Russia is not the first and not the last. Enumerate all - time to lose, no one ever put the peoples of Russia, the Soviet Union and Russia - to its knees. No one on this earth for a long time did not stay, but those who remained in it forever.
So it was, so it will be.
*****
Translation from Russian to English: Vladimir P.Parkin.