The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-09

trustworthy information, two Italian and three
Austrian vessels anchored during the months Of
June and July last in the port of Tabrouk
which belongs to the order-laden with arms.
shot and shell, which were Immediately for
warded over 200 kiometers separating the port
from Serhboub. There are also at the latter
place splendid library, transported thither
from Mecca, the former headquarters OF the
fraternity, stables containing over 1000 horses,
magnificent reservoirs, plantations, etc. Accord
ing to the distinguished French author.
Duveyrier, thebody guard of the Master, who
resides there, consists of over 1000 AgerlaBs."
Scattered over the countries of Turkey,
Tripol, Tunis, India and wherever Mahomet-
anlsm prevails are centres of action" some
800 or 600 in all.
During the Commune one of the Senoussi sta
toned at Paris managed to purloin from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs a document of a
compromising nature, stamped with the seal of
the chiefs of the Touareg of Rdames tribe, who
rank among the most fervent adherents of the
order. just as in the case of the Jesuits
so it is with the Senoussi-le but justife les
moyens, and they have recourse even to the
most outrageous means to attain the object they
keep in view. The Grand Master, who styles
himself, among other things, the ''Khalifa" or
lieutenant of God, corresponds with his subordi-
mates by means of relays of special messengers
who, in very confidential cases, convey verbal
messages only. To such a perfection are the
means of communication carried AMONGST the
Arabs that the Bedouins of the Pyramids of
Giseh announced the massacre of Colonel Stew
arts party at Merawi twenty four hours before
the official news Of it reached Cairo In the
same way the bombardnnent of Berber, the sur
render of Tokar and the massacre at Sinkat
were known in the bazars long before the official
news of it was received
Some of their rules of life are also interesting:
"Unquestioning obedience is strictly enjoined,
and even the Sultan and all other chiefs of Ma
Islamism as interpreted by the order, at the
risk of hostility against them being declared as
justified All embrOideries, gold or silver orna-
ments, or jewelry are strictly forbidden in the
case OF men, but are permitted to woman. To
bacco and coffee are likewise severely prohibited
Tea is allowed, but it must be sweetened with
brown sugar and not with white, for the latter
is defled by the bones of animals killed by
believers, which are used to refine it. Members
of the order are forbidden to speak, salute, trade
with or serve either Jews or Christians, and, &C
cording to the precepts contained in sermon
preached in March. 1861, by Hadj Ahmed Ben
Bel-Kasen, Mokkadem of the town of Rhat, any
Jew or Christian who is no longer rayah-that
is to say, who is no longer subject to a Mahom-
etan observation-disclosures an adversary whom
it is lawful, nay, whom it is necessary to rob and
kill at all times and in all places. The members
of the order who possess capital of over G5 pay
annually q per cent thereon into the treasury,
which receives in addition vast donations of cat
tie, lands, slaves and money. Both the Turkish,
Egyptian and Tunisian governments have been
most liberal in granting it subsidies, lands and
fiscal immunities.
'Sidi Mohamed Ben Ali Es-Senoussi, who,
during the last years of his life. used always to
hide his face with a veil, lest the brilliancy Of
his aspect should dazzle his disciples died few
years ago, in the odor of sanctity. Before his
death he solemnly proclaimed his son not only
as his successor chief of the order, but also as
the Messiah, or Mahdi According to Koranic
tradition, the true Mahdi was to make his ap-
pearance in the booth year OF the Hegira
i. e., A. d. 1883-at which date he was to have
attained his majority. His fathers name was
to be Mohamed, his mothers Fatima The pres
emit Grand Master of the Senoussi fulfils all
these requirements, and is known throughout
the Mussulman world by the name of Sidi Mo
named ell Mahdi.
1T may be urged that since Senoussi claims
to be the true Mahdi, there can he no co-opera-
ton on his part with the Soudanese Mahdi
Mohamet Ahmet This is mistake. The
Koran distinctly states that several Mahdis will
arise simultaneously with the chief one but
that they will all in the end submit to the latter
1t is, probably with view of verifying this
prophecy that the Senoussi has called forth false
Mahdis in the Yemen and Hedjaz, in Syria, as
we'll as in the Soudan.
IF native accountable only ones we have at
our dispcsal-are to be relied upon it would APP
pear that Mohamet Ahmet no longer claims to
be the Mahdi, but rather the principal forerun-
ner, the St John the Baptist of the latter"