f this complicated, delicate and highly significant
issue. The Baha'i world is eagerly expectant, and fervently prays, that
the Almighty may graciously assist the Government chiefly responsible for
the well-being of 'Iraq to take "without delay" such steps as will insure
the execution of the considered judgment of the representatives of the
Sovereign States, members of the Council, and signatories of the Covenant,
of the League of Nations.

I will, if deemed proper and advisable, inform you of the manner in which
the admiration and the gratitude of the National Spiritual Assemblies,
representative of the divers communities in the Baha'i world, should be
expressed and tendered to the authorities of the League of Nations who
have been chiefly responsible for this noble, this epoch-making decision.
For none can doubt that the published verdict pronounced by the Mandate
Commission sets the seal of international sanction on the triumph of God's
persecuted Faith over the ecclesiastical and civil powers of hostile
Islam. Within the ranks of the orthodox Sunnis and of the bitter and
fanatical _Sh_i'ah, the chief sects of the Muslim Faith and constituting
respectively the bulk of the ruling class and the population of 'Iraq, a
feeling of consternation must necessarily prevail. For however obscured
their vision they still can recognize in this historic judgment the herald
of that complete victory which is destined to establish the ascendancy of
what, in the words of the members of the Commission, is but "a small
minority, drawn from a lower social grade, and possessing neither
political nor social influence," over the combined forces of the Islamic
population of 'Iraq.

I must not fail in conclusion to refer once again to the decisive role
played by that distinguished and international champion of the Faith of
Baha'u'llah, our dearly-beloved Mountfort Mills, in the negotiations that
have paved the way for the signal success already achieved. The text of
the Baha'i petition, which he conceived and drafted, has been recognized
by the members of the Mandates Commission as "a document well-drafted,
clear in its argument and moderate in tone." He has truly acquitted
himself in this most sacred task with exemplary distinction and proved
himself worthy of so noble a mission. I request you to join with me in my
prayers for him, that the Spirit of Baha'u'llah may continue to guide and
sustain him in the final settlement of this most might