CO885-24 — Page 46

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CEYLON.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

गय

Reference :—

CO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

EXTRACT FROM

Enclosure 4 in No. 38.

CEYLON INDEPENDENT," 4TH NOVEMBER, 1914.

TURKEY AND THE WAR.

LOCAL TURKISH CONSUL HAS NO NEWS: THE ATTITUDE OF CEYLON MOHAMMEDANS.

CABLEGRAMS received locally through Reuter, regarding the latest development of the war, is not a little tragic. That Turkey should have summarily treated the British Embassy at Constantinople in cutting off telegraphie communication and the consequent action of requesting for passports for the return of the British Ambassador are tantamount to a declara tion of war, and there are indications-very significant indications that a state of war existe The integrity of the Ottoman Empire," says the Hablui between Turkey and Great Britain."

"

Matin (a Calcutta paper), is the corner-stone of the British foreign policy, and the interest and honour of Turkey require that she should ally herself with England against the Teutonic The Viceroy of India has addressed a communiqué powers, should war be unavoidable. throughout India, regarding the action of Turkey, and Mohammedans in different parts of British India have already held meetings and publicly avowed their loyalty to the British throne. The Mohammedans are a very large community, of whom there are seventy million in India. A large number of the permanent population of Ceylon is Mohammedan, their number according to the last census (1911) being about 270,000. With a view to obtaining the impression on the local Mohammedans, by the present development, a representative of the In reply to a question, Mr. Macan Independent called on the Turkish Consul yesterday. Markar, said: "I have no official intimation of any sort from anybody. I am, besides, British subject, and am an honorary Consul." He did not desire to say anything further in the absence of anything definite and officially announced to him.

A prominent local Mohammedan gentleman, seen next by our representative, said that the We are loyal subjects local Mohammedans think that the action of Turkey is unfortunate.

of the British Throne and our wish is that there should be friendship between Great Britain and Turkey. That wish has not been realized, and we are very sorry, and that is the painful We were ever impression out us. We here are quite different from the Indian Mohammedans. loyal and our loyalty has never been disputed and never will be."

Asked whether any local meetings of Mohammedans will be held, similar to those said tọ have been held in India, he said that he personally did not see the necessity for any such meeting. They were British subjects, and, since the outbreak of the war, prayers are offered in the different mosques. Besides, he said, the present war is not a religious war, and local Mohammedans were no more concerned whether Turkey or any other Power was involved.

A HIGH PRIEST'S VIEWS.

Katheeb C. L. M. Abdul Hamid, the High Priest of the big mosque in New Moor Street, spoke without reserve yesterday when he condemned the action of Turkey in going to war with England. We Mohammedans," he said, "do not see how Turkey is going to benefit by. ranging themselves on the side of Germany, and England is the last country Turkey should Here in Ceylon fight, considering the sympathy that England has always shown the Turks. we have received nothing but kindness at the hands of the British Government. What nation has respected our religion more than the British? Tradition tells us that the Moors suffered tremendously at the hands of the Portuguese. They slaughtered many Mohammedans, com- pelled them to wear crosses, and there was a dungeon in Galle Buck, it is said, where a large number of bones were found and thought to be the remains of ill-treated Mohammedans. Neither would the Portuguese allow us to own any property in the Fort or the Pettah. It is very different now; under the British Government we have been allowed religious liberty without any limit, which we regard as a great blessing. We have prayed for the success of the British We have no racial in the present war, and our sympathies will continue to be for the British.

ties with the Turks, who cannot on the score of our religious connexion claim any sympathy from us or the Mohammedans in India, who, I am sure, share our feeling that Turkey has been We Mohammedans have been discussing the situation very foolish in embarking on this war.

and are agreed that Turkey would have done well to remain neutral. Even if they succeed in their present objective we do not stand to benefit. Therefore, our sympathy shall continue to be with the British, a just and fair nation, whose attitude in the present war has been, we think, in the right cause of humanity."

WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE MOORS' UNION THINKS.

Mr. I. L. M. Abdul Azees, President of the Moors' Union and a Mohammedan journalist, Turkey's attitude is not, he says, favourably regarded by shares the views expressed above.

"We do not see what good Turkey can derive from going the Mohammedans of this place.

to war. Had they remained friendly to England, it would not only have been better for the We have been offering prayers for Turks, but for all Mohammedans under the British flag. the success of the British arms, and our sympathy with England will not be shaken. It cannot be influenced by the happenings in Turkey. All throughout our wish has been that the friend- ship between England and Turkey would be firm. The rupture cannot but be regarded as most unfortunate."'

Mr. Azeez does not think that there has been anything to justify Turkey's conduct in the present war. Their objective seems to be the regaining of Egypt, and they have no doubt But whether been influenced by Germany, in whose success they are probably confident. Turkey succeeds or not the result would be of no benefit to the Moors in Ceylon, whose con- fidence in the British is unshaken.

A RUSSIAN VIEW.

that

He

Mr. B. P. Kadomtreff, Russian Consul, stated that he had heard, not officially, England has declared war against Turkey and that Russia and France have followed suit. thinks that Greece and the other Balkan States will join the Entente very soon and that Italy will not be long in coming forward on the side of the Allies.

CEYLON MOORS AND TURKEY: GENERAL OPINION THAT THE PORTE HAS ERRAD. With uplifted hands the Mohammedans of Ceylon, assembled in their thousands, have prayed for the success of the British arms, and will continue to do so. Their sympathy with the British has not been in the slightest degree affected by the attitude of Turkey. The Moors of Ceylon have no racial ties with the Turks, but, bound by religious ties, they have, for some time past, been keenly following the trend of events in Southern Europe, hoping that Turkey would remain neutral and not embark on a war that could in the end have no benefit whatso- ever for the followers of the Prophet. Now that Turkey has thrown in her los with Germany, the Mohammedans of Ceylon are keenly disappointed; but their faith in the British is unshaken, not only as regards the issue of the titanio struggle, but as regards the advantages to the Mohammedans of being under the British flag. News of the acute position spread rapidly in Colombo on Monday afternoon, and was freely discussed at all meeting places of the Moors. There has been nothing like excitement among them. There is an erroneous impression among many people that the Moors of Ceylon are connected with Turkey. They are really the descendants of Arabs who settled in Ceylon before the advent of the Portuguese. The trade of Ceylon and India was in the hands of the Arabs at that time, and many of them settled in Ceylon. Some of them brought their wives over, but others married Sinhalese and since developed the community, which, according to the last census report, numbers 288,901.

ONLY NINE TURKS IN CEYLON.

There are, according to the same report, only nine Turks in Ceylon, and the police were on Sunday showing some activity to finding out their whereabouts.

MOHAMMEDANS AND THE WAR: AT AKBAR Mosque, BLAVE Island.

A special prayer was conducted by High Priest T. B. A. Rahim Ajmseen at the Akbar Mosque, Slave Island, after the Hadje festival service, on behalf of the British Empire, for her victory in the present war. The congregation was much impressed with the prayer, and responded with "Ameen," at each word, which showed their sympathies were on the side of the British. The prayer was: "Oh. God, praise be unto Thee and glory unto Thy Prophet. Thou art the King and Ruler of Thy faithful and wicked servants. We are Thy humble followers. Thy name and Thy Kingdom shalt last on us. Oh, Marciful God, fulfil the desire and the thirst of Thy humble followers. We are under the British Dominion and pray Thee that Thou wilt not allow the enemy have the victory. Thou hast the power under Thy hand and Thon will not abide Tby humble servants' request. Praise be unto Thee and glory on Thy Prophet. Ameen.'

Enclosure 5 in No. 38.

EXTRACT FROM CEYLON INDEPENDENT," 3RD NOVEMBER, 1914.

CEYLON CIVILIAN VOLUNTEERS.

THE EDITOR, Ceylon Independent.

DEAR BI-The number of applications to date are about 140; of these over 40 have completed all the formalities and are enrolled. It is important that other applicants should complete the formalities at the earliest possible date, sud, in any case, not later than 11th November, on which day the list will probably be closed.

It is proposed to assemble in Colombo for preliminary training and the musketry course on 8th November, and billets free of charge will be found for all upcountry members. Those who are unable to join by 8th November should do so at the earliest possible date thereafter.

The large hotels have very generously consented to take in about 60 men, and the thanks of the Committee and members of the party are most heartily due to the Directors of the G.O.H., the Galle Face, and the Bristol, for the generous spirit in which they have come

forward.

In regard to kit, it is the urgent wish of the Committee, in spite of the fact that the party must go home as a body of civilians, that each unit should equip himself with a khaki shirt, n pair of khaki shorts, and putties. These will be used for the preliminary training in Colombo and on the boat.

Owing also to the pressure on the Army Clothing and Ordinance Department, every man should, so far as possible, provide himself with a khaki tunic and breeches of similar pattern to those issued to the C.P.R.C., and an appeal in now made to retired members of all Volunteer Corpa in the island to give any disused khaki service kit which is in good condition.

The breeches should be of Bedford cord, and the tunios, if possible, of serge, but drill clothing can be used with heavy underclothing.

All such articles should be consigned to P. H. Milward, care of the Volunteer Headquarters, Slave Island, and will be accepted for transport by the railway free of charge on labela which can be obtained from Mr. Milward.

An appeal has already been made for warm underclothing, overcoats, sweaters, and blankets, and this is meeting with a cordial response.

Good heavy boots should be obtained either here or in England.