Sheik-Ul-Islam Proclaims Moslems Must Fight Unbelievers.

New York Times 100 years ago today, November 9, 1912:
CONSTANTINOPLE IN ALARM
Disease Spreads Among Soldiers and Refugees — Warships Are Ready for Outbreaks.
ADRIANOPLE HARD PRESSED
Two Forts Have Been Taken and Informal Pourparlers for Surrender Are Proceeding.
BATTLE ON TCHATALJA LINE
Salonika Is Taken by Greeks, but a Terrible Massacre Precedes Their Coming.
EUROPE'S PEACE IS IN PERIL
Germany Backs Austria Against Servia and Kaiser Prepares Army — London Fears General Conflict.
By WARD PRICE.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
Dispatch to The London Dally Mail.
    CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 8, 8 P.M. — Sheik-Ul-Islam, head of the Turkish hierarchy, has issued a proclamation to the Ulemas, stating that now that the clergy of their Christian enemies have proclaimed a holy war, it behooves the Mohammedan religious authorities to do the same and encourage the Turkish soldiers. Missionaries will be sent among the troops on this errand. His appeal reads:

    With a view to exciting and encouraging the soldiers of the enemies, who surround us, their priests, cross in hand, are working in the ranks of the army. It is not fitting that our Ulemas should neglect the accomplishment of a similar duty.
    In order that the victory and glory, promised by the Almighty, may be granted without delay to the Ottoman army, it is necessary that the venerable Ulemas organize a Jihad. Such a holy war has, moreover, become an obligation, if the condition of the Ottoman soldiers, who are all heroes, is to be strengthened.
    Ulemas who feel that they possess the aptitude and strength to participate in this important task, are invited to present themselves immediately at the Sheik-Ul-Islamat which will send those selected to the army.

    The Yeni Gazetta prints a fervid appeal to-day, beginning: 'The Ottoman fatherland and the world of Islam are in danger,' and calling for all the Turks to sacrifice themselves in the name of Allah and the Prophet.
    Other Turkish papers sound similar notes.
    Constant rumors circulate that the Cabinet is about to fall and be replaced by a military dictatorship, pledged to carry on the war to the bitter end. At 6 o'clock this evening the Grand Vizier, Kiamil Pasha, assured me that there was no truth in such statements.
    The Grand Vizier said:
    "One circumstance alone ought to oblige the powers to stop the Bulgarian advance. That circumstance is the intention of King Ferdinand to penetrate into the City of Constantinople itself. From the first he has proclaimed that this conflict would be a religious war, and, regardless of the consequences, he wishes to bring it to a dramatic end.
    "If King Ferdinand is not prevented from carrying out this project a most grave catastrophe will be the result. Nothing could restrain the Mohammedans from resisting to the utmost such an attempt to carry out an arrogant triumph in the very seat of the Caliphate, and the disastrous events which would inevitably take place in Constantinople would be reproduced throughout the Ottoman Empire.
    "I warned the Ambassadors of this when they asked permission to bring a second guardship each. I told them that they could bring the whole of their fleets to Constantinople if they wished, but even that would be insufficient to avert calamities to the foreigners throughout Turkey if King Ferdinand should enter Constantinople."