The Beloved of the Empire: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the British Officials

I. British Contacts in Palestine (Intelligence/Military)

• Major Tudor-Pole (Intelligence):
  • He served in Intelligence in Cairo, Ludd, Jaffa, and Jerusalem.
  • In early 1918, he felt "acute anxiety" regarding 'Abdu'l-Bahá's safety.
  • He brought the matter before his chief, General Sir Arthur Money, and used his connections to relay an urgent message to the British Foreign Office.
  • He received the official dispatch instructing General Allenby to secure 'Abdu'l-Bahá's safety.
  • He provided General Allenby with full particulars about 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Movement.
  • He visited 'Abdu'l-Bahá at His Mount Carmel home after the capture of Haifa.
• General Allenby (Commander):
  • He received a dispatch from the Foreign Office instructing him to "Extend every protection and consideration to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His family and His friends, when the British match on Haifa".
  • He issued orders to his commanding officer to immediately post a British guard around 'Abdu'l-Bahá's house upon entering Haifa.
  • He ensured enemy lines were informed that "stern retribution" would follow any harm caused to 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
  • After taking Palestine (December 9th, 1917, for Jerusalem; September 1918 for Haifa), he cabled London: "Have to-day taken Palestine. Notify the world that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is safe".
• Lt. Colonel (later Sir) Ronald Storrs (Governor of Jerusalem):
  • He was not a stranger to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, having known Him since His time incarcerated in ‘Akká.
  • He came in person to pay his respects the evening after Haifa’s capture and again the next morning.
• British Commanding Officer (Haifa):
  • Upon entering Haifa, the first question the commanding officer asked the Mayor was whether ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in the city and safe.

II. British Contacts Abroad (London)

• Lady Blomfield:
  • She received an urgent message regarding 'Abdu'l-Bahá's "serious danger" in the spring of 1918.
  • She immediately sought out Lord Lamington for assistance.
  • She wrote a letter to the Foreign Office explaining 'Abdu'l-Bahá's importance, which was put into the hands of Lord Balfour.
• Lord Lamington:
  • He provided invaluable assistance, ensuring the letter detailing 'Abdu'l-Bahá's alarming situation reached Lord Balfour.
  • His influence proved "of special help" in advising members of the Cabinet.
• Lord Balfour (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs):
  • He received the letter detailing the threat to 'Abdu'l-Bahá's life.
  • He was instrumental in sending the dispatch to General Allenby instructing him to ensure 'Abdu'l-Bahá's safety.
• Lord Curzon:
• He was among the cabinet members advised of the critical situation at Haifa.

(Extracted from: ‘Abdu'l-Bahá: Through the War Years by Hasan M. Balyuzi published in World Order
6:1, pp. 19-28, 1971)

https://bahai-library.com/balyuzi_abdul-baha_war_years