In role of King, Emperor of
India, King George V,
Messaged the Princes and
People of that country,
Stating how, over recent
weeks, the people
Of his Empire, home and
abroad having one mind
And purpose, to overthrow an
assault
Upon all civilisation and
mankind’s peace.
His voice has been cast onto
the side of peace,
While his ministers strove
to appease differences,
Which did not directly
concern his Empire.
The King of England explains
to his Indian subjects,
Of his allegiance to Belgium
and the French nation,
Both countries being
threatened with extinction.
Not to act upon this would
lead to sacrificing
His honour, and in turn to
destroy his liberties
Of Empire and mankind - King
George rejoices
That all his Empire agree
with his decision.
The King, stating how the
pledged word of peoples,
And rulers is paramount, to
the common heritage
Of His united Empire of
India and England.
Parliament accounts the
magnificent loyalty,
Of India’s people and Princes
for loyal response,
Made without reserve - and
more than expected
More than loyalty, is love –
a cheer for Sir Pertab Singh
Comes from the common
members, a man who at 70,
Could not be denied the
right to serve King Emperor,
To offer his nephew of 16,
Maharajah of Cooch Behar.
The great chiefs open their
houses of treasures,
Offering private jewels and
horses to the British Raj.
Their willingness to send
contingents to the front,
Was greatly welcomed by the Parliament
members -
In contrast to India’s
recent unrest and expected revolution,
Came Nepal's generosity of
seven Gurkha Battalions,
To join the Expeditionary
Forces, while the Dalai Lama,
Sending 1,000 Tibetans,
brought smiles to the commons.
The Lama’s people will pray
from the top of the world,
For British success and all
war victims –
So spins the praying wheels
from High Pamirs –
A rousing common’s cheers to
send the Viceroy’s
Message across the world,
encourages
Mr Thorne to shout, ‘send a
copy to the Kaiser!’
by
Jamie Mann
Anon.,
1914. Kings Message to Overseas Dominions. India's Loyalty to the Empire. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 10 Sept. p.7. Col.4. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11077817/Daily-Telegraph-September-10-1914.html[Accessed:
10th September 2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100
years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 10
September 2014).
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