Among the chiefs selected to accompany the expeditionary force are the Maharaja Sir Pertab Singh, the Maharajas of Bikanir, Patiala, Rutlam, Kishengarh, and Jodhpur, the Nawabs of Jaora, Sachin, and Bhopal, and also the Malik Umar Hayat.
Steps were taken to circulate the announcement widely throughout the world; and Lord Lansdowne, in welcoming the offer in the House of Lords, remarked:
Few in this country realise how great a thing it is that these ruling chiefs should come forward in this way to assist us. I wonder how many realise that the Maharaja of Mysore rules over a population which exceeds that of Sweden, that the Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior has more subjects than the King of Denmark, that the Nizam of Hyderabad governs a people three times as numerous as the people of Ireland.
It is no small thing that these rulers should have come forward without exception and given practical proof of their desire to help. On behalf of those who sit on this side of the House I congratulate the Marquis of Crewe on the manner in which the India Office has been supported at this critical time, and I congratulate the Viceroy, to whom, at the moment when he must have had many sad preoccupations, the response of the people of India must have brought consolation and encouragement.
Our cordial thanks ought also to be conveyed to the people of India and to the loyal chiefs who have stood by us in so conspicuous a manner.
In response to the offers of help, the King was pleased to issue the following message:
To the Governments and Peoples of My Self-Governing Dominions
During the past few weeks the peoples of My whole Empire at Home and Overseas have moved with one mind and purpose to confront and overthrow an unparalleled assault upon the continuity of civilisation and the peace of mankind.