Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-01
THE TRADITION OF Ell MAHDI.

|
Tuesday evening in New York for the bene-
fl of the Bartholdi Pedestal Fund on "EI
Mahdi in the Soudan" In his lecture Gen.
Stone said
1t is probable that ten years ago Moham-
med Ahmed, tho poor and unknown Koran
| reader, far up on the White Nile, little
dreamed that his deeds would he discussed
| TO day in every part OF the civilized world.
! TIE Solidan was firmly held by hand Of
steel, though g'oyed il vclVet-that OF the
Khedive Ismaii NIohammed Ahmed must
have been well aware OF another Soudan
Koran reader who shortly before assumed
the same title but was quickly conquered.
Mohammed Ahmed proclaimed himself un-
der more favorable circumstances. In the
place Of Ismail, who had been driven from
Egypt'by the two great Powers represent
ing his bondholders, there re!gncd his son,
Mohammea Tewiik. whose hands were held
by England whenever he desired to act
vigorously. The weakness Of the govern
ment favored the appearance Of q strong
man who, appealing TO Arabic and lslamic
sentiment, could unite the people. He
came in the presence Of Moham,ned All
mcd-El Mahdi. What is meant by that
name?
Department in Cairo" said the General, "a
confidential secretary Of the Prime Minister
hurredly entered and Informed me that
rebellion had broken out in the island of
Abo, and that a man was calling himself
the Mahdi Asmilitary measures became at
once necessary desired to know the mean
ing OF the word hitcr consulting trans
latou OF the Koran without attaining my
object applied 10 an intelligent Mussulman,
and from him learned that there was moth
lug in the Koran regarding this parsonage,
but that tradition maintained that during
the last days OF this world al Arab false
prophet would rise up who would conquer
first. the country occupied by the Arabs,
then Asta Minor, and then the rest OF the
world that once in possession Of power his
ruling would be bad, but short, inasmuch as
Jesus Christ would then appear on earth,
near jerusalem, and call from their graves
the great and good warriors Of all times:
that on reaching the grave Of one such be
would salute tho ancient with the Isamic
salutaton, "Salaam Aleickoom," whcrcupon
the old warrior would arise, fully equipped,
and join his forces; that with this invinciblc
army constantly increasing, Christ would
march Oh Mecca, occupy that city and there
proclaim the truth Of the Islamic doctrine,
with peace and good will Ia al men.
Such being the belief ci tie Arabs, it is
easy TO sec how dangerous it is TO the peace
Of the world when Mussui.uaus in a! conn
tries become persuaded that Mohammed
Ahmed is really the Mahdi OF their tradi-'
tions. Had he been defeated nj Tie outset
hc might have been proclaimed vulgarim-
pos,or, ior be was unknown outside Of the
Soudan: bat circumstances favored him.
First, he obtained lcca! prestige. Then fol-
lowed the troubles in Caro-England and
France each striving TO create Euro
pean domination. Following these was the
open rebellion OF Arab lacha, when, from April,
1SS2. to October, no either in Egypt or in
Europe thought CT Mohaln.a.d Ahmed. The
shrcwd chief took advantage Of the stu
alton Availing himself of thY l;.natical nlu-
cnces by which he surrounded, of the mani
fest weakness Of the English government, OF the
inability o! the khe1iyc, he concentrated bis
forces. made his onslaught aroused his masses
and is now III commanding position.
The Ehcdivc and his Ministers were prompt in
the recognition of the perilous situation, and
oucstcd the chief OF the army staff to adopt meas
urcs to avert the danger, but it was impossible
British bondhOidcrs were pressing for the pay
ment OF their seni-annual coupons and the British
government itself was cXactlng in its demands for
the money to pay the expenses of the 10000 Brit
ish troops constituting the army Of occupation.
1t was moment when Il little relaxation of the
purse strings the taking on Of little more pecun
iary responsibility without actually expending
penny would have made the khedive, his govern
ment and the wisest of the Egyptians the grateful
friends Of England. The British government
allowed the opportunity to slip, and it will hardly
return.
In conclusion General Stone paid 4 handsome
tribute to General Gordon IS 4 soldier and man.
but strongly deprecated the act of the English
government in compelling him to submit to the
dangers of his mission in going single handed and