In 1918 Tredwell was sent to
Tashkent in Russian Central Asia to investigate the political and
cotton situation there. At this time,
World War I was still raging across Europe. Munitions of the day used cotton
(see nitrocellulose), however a successful blockade by the
British had limited
Germany's cotton supply. The
Entente powers were concerned that the Germans might try to procure local supplies throughout the former
Russian Empire, especially in the Turkestan region, as well as rally political and military support in the area to launch an attack against
British India. Tredwell prepared two reports during that summer after traveling extensively around the region and speaking to many people about the current political and economic situation. Tredwell was arrested by the Bolsheviks in on October 15, 1918. He was soon able to secure his release, and quickly set about to free other foreigners arrested that same day. Shortly after, however, he was placed once again under house arrest. At one point he was taken to a prison where it seemed he was about to be executed, but the local police chief stopped the process at the last minute. In March 1919, the British offered to release Bolshevik prisoners they were holding in
Persia in exchange for Tredwell's freedom. This exchange, however, never took place. He was taken from Tashkent to Moscow, then onward to Finland, where he was released in May 1919. During his time in Tashkent, Tredwell was acquainted with and assisted the British intelligence officer
Frederick Marshman Bailey. Tredwell features in Bailey's account of his exploits there in the book
Mission to Tashkent. ==References==