The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1884-03-15
The soudan Revolt.

A gentleman who has spent many
months among the Arab tribes inhablt-
ing the country between the Red Sea
and the Soudan, writes to the London
Times as follows: ] think it is a mis-
take to imagine that the disturbances
between Suakim and Berber are entire
" caused by the Mehdi, or that they
have anything to do with religion.
During my last visit to the country in
1882 frequently made inquiries about
the Mehdi. The only man | ever found
who had even heard of his existence
was a sheik of the Benz Amer tribe liv-
ing near Cassala, and he appeared to
know very little about him and to care
less. However, recent events may have
altered this. / do not consider the
Arabs in that part of Soudan fanatical;
in fact, never was among any Arabs
who seemed to care less for their re.
ligion and it's forms. With the exception
Of the sheiks, one hardly ever sees any
of them at prayer. The Arabs in those
parts have many serious causes of COM
plant against the Egyptian Govern
ment, notably over-taxation, and very
little chance Of redress incase of wrongs
from their neighbors or the soldiery.
AY uVsStAMASAe. Snoy colnp tahec
everything from them, anu gives them
notnlng IN return. un one occasion
When was staying AZ the headquarters
OF tne nenl Aniefs, neignnorlng ana
hestlie tr1pe made O. raia ana carried
on several hnnared mead OF cattle, Kill
ing the men n cnarge. Inc sheik made
q complaint 20 the government author
ltles at ! assaia. Q town distant less than
nunareo miles lrona where the RAID
TOOK place. ana containing q large gar
rlson OF soiaiers ne asked Tor AID, but
was toia that no help could be gwen
MN. Anis sniek bitterly complained
70 US tnat ~ tnat very Tune q party Of
basni-bazouks was IN ms village ex-
torung taxes, While an ADyssln an en-
yoy was tnere. TOO, on the same mission
from hing Jonn -for nc, BENG IN the
unlortunate Positlon Q! nvlng on the
lrontler OF poIh countries, had TO pay
taxes % poin governments. Is u won
aerIui tnat tnese men, VINO are taxed by
gu tnelr nelghpors ana projected by
none, snouia make an enort 20 regain
lndepenuencef ne basnl-bazouks
nave been very Important factor IN
ing ng upon the government the dis
IKE OF the various ARAB tribes. These
men are recruited from the lowest
RANKS ana are almost without any dis
clpl ne. Ley sre sent about the coun-
Try IN tWos ana tnrees 70 collect taxes,
neraiiy Wltnout any money OF their
own ~ tneir pockets, anu they I'VE or
Wnae tney can steal from the poor
arabs 90 natea are they tnat we
Iounu tne greaeess diLnculgy IN getnng
supplies Wheh any OF these men were In
ouE cal1Pi ~ Aaeb, We proved W expe-
Iience =, sha0 the less we had 20 40 with
ene once.s q tne government the bet
ser We goe On win lne people.
Ane raIny season along me hed sea
cogs.' eteatay asslsts the ARABS 10 thelr
ESsassauce, ~ wafer anu grass are more
piensslul enah ~ ahy osher tine' 1hey
too, know o. many watering places I'M
SHOWN 70 strangers ana tne existence
VI when .hsy nave Always kept careful
" oohceaie9, AS ~ g tne Arabs be-
."eeh slle nou een anu tue MIC are
very hne, powerfully DniiG men, capa-
plo y stanuink = great ueai o. harasnlp
anu pLlvne'on' Ahey are brave ana VIII
ngne VEL az an example OF their
prasssty' nave iAhown an ARAB, IN de-
len,ua,ng nls ealtie near our eneampment
20 XII lullrgroWn non with one thrust
y ms spear Al me men are armed
VIII spear an ~, snlelo, ana many carry
sworus VOC. Ahey are thoroughly proti-
elent N She use OF tnese weapons, but
lew q tnem possess OF have the
lesse suea % now 20 use 9 rliie. On the
U s.a,, .Eaue along she various cara
va van lon.es eney uepena almost entirely
~. ut .slell means q oD.ainlng money, and
sa ,g eros,I Y she country VIII pe most