O thou perfect man!
The Conference on International Arbitration and Peace is the
greatest results of this great age. This brilliant century has no likeness and
similitude in the history of man. From every standpoint it is distinguished
above all other centuries. It is specialized with such excellencies that the
shining star of the heavenly confirmations shall gleam from the horizon of this
century upon all the future cyces and periods. One of the most extraordinary
events of this time, which indeed is a miracle, is the founding of the oneness
of this realm of humanity and its essential branches, such as Universal Peace
and the unity of the different nations, in this arena of existence.
Persia was at one time the center of religious difference,
antagonism and oppression, to such an extent that pen is unable to describe.
The adherents of different nations and religions considered it their religious
duty to shed the blood of their opponents; they pillaged and ransacked each
other’s property and did not fall short of oppressing their own flesh and
blood. The hatred between the various religions attained to such a height that
they considered each other unclean. Should a Jew enter a Mohammedan home, he
would be made to sit upon the ground; if he drank water from a cup, that cup
was destroyed or washed again and again; for the Jew was considered unclean.
Such was the hatred and rancor among the different religions and nations in
Persia.
About sixty years ago His Highness Baha’u’llah through the
Heavenly Power proclaimed the oneness of the Kingdom of man in that country and
addressing the concourse of humanity said: "O ye people! Ye are all the
fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch!"
About fifty years ago in the Book of Aqdas, He commanded the
people to establish the Universal Peace and summoned all the nations to the
Divine Banquet of International Arbitration so that the questions of
boundaries, of national honor and property, and of vital interests between
nations might be decided by an arbitral court of justice; and that no nation
would dare to refuse to abide by their decisions. If any quarrel arise between
two nations it must be adjudicated by this international court and be arbitrated
and decided upon like the judgment rendered by the judge between individuals.
If at any time any nation dares to break such a treaty all the other nations
must arise to put down this rebellion.
Baha’u’llah has clearly stated that this Universal Peace is
the cause of the tranquility of the realm of creation. Now as the International
Conference on Arbitration is organized in America and as this problem is a
branch which will ultimately bring about the unity of the world, therefore we
remember you with the utmost respect, that praise be to God you have arisen to
perform such a universal service. God willing, that Conference will progress
day by day and will bring about all embracing results and will establish
reconciliation and universal love between the different nations, races and
peoples of this world.
I beg of you to accept the expressions of my highest
consideration.
(signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol.2, no. 15, December 12, 1911)
