The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-03

Tho grand master, who styles himself among
other things, the 'khalifa,' or lieutenant OF God
corresponds with his subordinates by means of
relays Of special messengers, who in very conf
Dental cases convey verbal MESSAGES only. TIC
such perfection are the means Of conn ,unica-
ton carried amongst the Arabs that the Be-
douins Of the Pyramids of Gisch announced the
massacre Of Colonel Stewart (Gordon's compan-
ion) at Merawi twsnty-four hours before the
official news of it reached Cairo In the same way
the bombardment of Berber, the surrender of
Tokhar, and the massacre of Sinkat were known
in the Cairo bazaars long before the official news
thereof was received
''The order has its agents at AlexanGria-in
was arrested before being transported into Glib
raltar. 1t has its representatives at CONSTANT
nople, at Vienna and at Paris. During the
French Commune one of the Senoussi managed
to purloin from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
at Paris, document of a compromising nature,
stamped with the seal of the chiefs Of the Tou "a
reg of Rdaines tribe, who rank amongst the
most fervent adherents of the order.
During my recent stay in Egypt succeeded,
after great deal of difficulty. in ascertaining
the highest AUTHORITY that in 1868 the late Sou
dan MaLdi was initiated as a khouan, or brother
preacher of the Sid abb ell Kadr ell Djilani fra
ternity which forms one of the principal and
most direct affiliations of the Senoussi order.
Caravans are constantly passing between
Jerhboub and the Kordofan, their passage be-
ing noted at the oasis of Selmeh. 1t was
at the instgation of Senoussi that the late
Mahdi commenced his instruction in 1881, with
the Bagarra tribe, a fact which goes far to ex-
plain the singularly well-timed moment for the
rising, just when the Cairo government were at
the worst period of their difficulties with Arab
Pacha. Moreover, after the battle of Te-el-
Kebir four of Arabs principal colonels fed
across the desert to Senoussi, who received
them exceedingly WELL and after remaining
there year. two of them proceeded to join the
forces of the late Mahdi, in which they now hold
high commands
Both the Khedive and Nuhar Pasha have
frequently assured me that Senoussi was so
much interested in commercial undertakings
that he had neither inclination nor inducement
to adopt militant policy. This is a grave mis-
apprehension, to say the least and is quite con-
trary to the antecedents, present policy and al
terror aims of the order Sheik Senoussi, who
has already unlimited wealth at the disposal
OF the order. has been sagacious enough
ito perceive that commerce and trade constitute
the most powerful means of extension of in
fiuence all the world over. When the i'll advised
proclamation concerning the abandonment of
the Soudan was issued two years ago, Senoussi
Immediately took steps to attract via Jerhhoub,
Tabrouk and Tripoli the vast central African
trade which formerly, making its way down the
Nile, and being source OF wealth to various
prosperous riverside towns found an outlet at
Alexandria. For Egypt is but a pays de transit.
One-haf Of its immense prosperity in former
times was due to the Chinese and Indian trade,
which was destroyed by the opening of the Suez
canal; the other half was owing to the transit
trade with central Africa and Soudan, which
Mr.. Gladstone has. de gazette de ceur. abolished
by proclaiming the abandonment of the latter.
Again, in the case of the Kingdom of Wadai
country of over 100000 inhabitants, west of
Darfur, with enormous natural and mineral
wealth which had long been closed to foreign
trade, Senoussi's agents managed to ingratiate
themselves with the King and to attract the
whole commerce of the country to ind an outlet
via Jerhboub and Tabrouk and Tripoli. In fact,
Turkey, Persia, ETC., obtained all their black
slaves via Jerhhoub and Tabrouk the King of
Wadai being the great provider of that class of
merchandise. The whole OF the vast commerce
of Timbuctoo is also in the hands of the order.
whose industry and perseverance are proverbial
throughout the East. In fact its success in
turning desert sand into fertile lands can only be
compared to the wonders accomplished by the
Mormons at Salt Lake City"