The nine months which have elapsed since the launching of the spiritual
world-encompassing Crusade have witnessed the entry of the Knights of
Baha'u'llah in well-nigh four score and ten territories throughout the
planet, representing virtually three-fourths of the total number of areas,
exclusive of the Soviet zone of influence, destined to be opened in the
course of the entire decade and swelling the roll of sovereign States and
Dependencies enlisted under the banner of His Faith to two hundred and
thirteen.
All independent States and Principalities on the European continent,
excluding Soviet Republics and satellites, have been opened.
All territories in North, Central and South America, excluding Labrador,
have been opened.
All territories on the Asiatic continent outside of the Russian orbit have
been opened, except Tibet and Bhutan.
All islands in the Mediterranean, all islands in the North Sea have been
opened, except Spitzbergen.
All African sovereign States, Colonies, Protectorates and Trust
territories, with the exception of Togolands, Spanish Guinea,
Bechuanaland, Swaziland, Gambia and the French Cameroons, have been
opened.
All islands in the South and North Atlantic, except St. Helena, St.
Thomas, Anticosti, and the Falklands, have been opened.
All Indian Ocean islands with the exception of Socotra, the Cocos, Comoro,
Mentawei, Nicobar, Chagos Archipelago and Kuria-Muria have been opened.
All islands in the North and South Pacific, exclusive of Soviet-controlled
territories, have been opened except Galapagos, Gilbert and Ellice,
Admiralty, Loyalty, Marshall, Mariana, Brunei and Portuguese Timor.
The Concourse on high hails with delight the phenomenal rapidity of the
victories of Baha'i pioneering in the virgin areas of the globe.
Encouraged to address an urgent plea to all National Assemblies concerned,
as well as to each and every prospective pioneer assigned to the
aforementioned territories, to expedite by every means at their disposal
their arrival at their respective posts ere the expiry of the
swiftly-passing three-month period separating them from the conclusion of
the opening year of this auspiciously-unfolding decade.
Appeal furthermore to the entire body of participants in the Crusade to
put forth all strength to secure entry of additional volunteers into these
same territories multiplying thereby chances of their inclusion within the
pale of the Faith ere the celebration of the fast-approaching Ridvan.
Supplicating with redoubled ardor a further measure of Baha'u'llah's
sustaining grace, surpassing the conspicuous blessings already vouchsafed
to His wholly-dedicated, widely-scattered, forward-marching warriors since
the launching of the Ten Year Plan.
--Shoghi
[Cablegram, February 8, 1954]