ivalries and factious intrigue, of tribal revolt,
political dissensions and religious animosities--all of which have in times
past brought in their wake the shedding of the blood of so many of its
innocent and choicest sons.

Fully alive to the gravity of the occasion, and realizing the urgency of
my sacred duty, I have, upon the receipt of the news, transmitted
telegraphically through the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of
Persia a special message addressed in the name of the Baha'is of every
land to the supreme authority in the State, expressing our profound horror
at this outrageous act as well as our earnest entreaty to inflict
immediate punishment on the perpetrators of so abominable a crime. And as
this sad event involved chiefly the welfare and security of the Baha'i
residents in Persia, I have specially requested all local Assemblies in
that land to address a similar message to the highest authorities
concerned appealing for full protection and justice. Should future
developments necessitate direct and foreign intervention, I shall acquaint
the national Baha'i representatives in every land to take in cooperation
with all local Assemblies such measures as will effectually conduce to a
fuller recognition of the dynamic force latent in the Baha'i Faith and
insure the betterment of the lot of the heroic supporters of our Cause.

Pending the opening of official communication with recognized authorities
whether in Persia or elsewhere, I strongly feel that the time has
assuredly come when it is incumbent upon every conscientious promoter of
the Cause to bestir himself and undertake in consultation with the friends
in his locality such measures of publicity as will lead to the gradual
awakening of the conscience of the civilized world to what is admittedly
an ignominious manifestation of a decadent age.

I would specially request all National Assemblies to give their anxious
and immediate consideration to this grave matter, and to devise ways and
means that will secure the fullest publicity for our grievances. I would
remind them that whatever is published should be couched in terms that are
at once correct, forceful and inoffensive.

I would particularly stress the importance of making every effort to
secure the sympathy and hospitality of the leading journals and
periodicals of the Western world, and of sending to the Holy Land any such
references in papers that will arise to champion the cause of
righte