MARSHALL, William Raine.

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Proclamation by the G.O.C.-in-Chief in Mesopotamia to the People of 'Iraq, First printing of this scarce broadside, held by the Imperial War Museum only, reproducing the text of General Marshall's proclamation read at the Sersi in Baghdad on 2 November 1918, three days after the Armistice of Mudros.Marshall's proclamation emphasizes that Britain will follow through on past promises made by General Sir Stanley Maude. "The end of the war has come and we are now in a position to show that the promises that have so often been made to you are to be kept at the first possible opportunity." Marshall pledges the repatriation of non-Turkish prisoners of war currently held in India, freedom of trade and the lifting of blockades, and the reopening of pilgrimage routes. He also announces the release of certain prisoners, pay bonuses for civil servants, and food and clothing distributions. "Gentlemen, there is no more to be said. I as you only to believe that the vexations and annoyances which the presence of an Army in your midst have inevitably caused have been due not to our intentions but to military necessity... I ask you only to join with me in saluting the British Flag now to be unfurled before you."According to the printer's slug, 3,000 copies were printed. A second printing (5,000 copies) followed on 4 November.

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