470 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, NOVEMBER 6, 1914.
No. 424.-The following message from His Highness AGA KHAN to Moslems in India and His Majesty's other dominions is published by direction of His Majesty's Govern-
ment.
CLAUD SEVERN,
Colonial Secretary.
6th November, 1914.
With deep sorrow I find that the Turkish Government has joined hands with Germany and acting under German orders is madly attempting to wage a most unprovoked war against such mighty Sovereigns as the King Emperor and the Tsar of Russia. This is not the true and free will of the Sultan but of German Officers and other non-Moslems who- have forced him to do their bidding. Germany and Austria have been no disinterested friends of Islam and while one took Bosnia the other has long been plotting to become the suzerain of Asia Minor and Mesopotamia including Kerbela Rejef and Bagdad. If Germany succeeds, which Heaven forbid, Turkey will become only a vassal of Germany and the Kaiser's resident will be the real ruler of Turkey and will control the holy cities. No Islamic interest was threatened in this war and our religion was not in peril. Nor was Turkey in peril for the British and Russian Empires and the French Republic had offered to solemnly guarantee Turkey all her territories in complete independence if she had remained at peace.
Turkey was the trustee of Islam and the whole world was content to let her hold our holy cities in her keeping. Now that Turkey has so disastrously shewn herself a tool in German hands she has not only ruined herself but has lost her position as trustee of Islam and evil will overtake her. Turkey has been persuaded to draw the sword in an unholy cause from which she could be but ruined whatever else happened, and she will lose her position as a great nation for such mighty Sovereigns as the King Emperor and the Tsar can never be defeated. Thousands of Moslems are fighting for their Sovereign already and all men must see that Turkey has not gone to war for the cause of Islam or for the defence of her independence. Thus our only duty as Moslems now is to remain loyal faithful and obedient to our temporal and secular allegiance.
Printed and Published by NORONHA & Co., Printers to the Hongkong Government.
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