The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-09

Prophets of Mahomet Hope to Evan
geIize America.

~ L an ObiC
Amid the sordid commercialism of the
present day, IN an Occidental, provincial
and conservative community like Cleveland,
where the financial idea is supposed to be
dominant and where only things practical
are thought to hold sway, there is at pres
ent being placed on foot, if report be true,
one OF the most marvellous schemes that
ever found birth in the brain OF man, ana
which, in it's wonderful details, has seldom
been surpassed in the widest flights of
Oriental conception.
This mighty purpose is nothing less than
the CHARACTERIZATION of this vast Republic by
Moslem priests and the conversion of its
people to the faith of Mahomet. Because
of its geographical location the Mussulman
missionaries have selected Cleveland as the
chief base of operations, it is said. although
Chicago will also be an important point
for the movement.
1t is said that the work is already well
under way, and if the careful plans OF these
daring prOSelyterS from the mystic East
do not miscarry it is not beyond the limit
of possibility that the streets of commercial
Cleveland may soon be studded with Mo
hammedan mosques and minarets, from
which, at the evening hour, may be heard
the muezZin'S soft voice calling the faith
full TO prayer. Turkey is to be transplanted
resemble a sliced-off section of the capital
of the land of houris and harems. Along
our fashionable avenues might rise lofty
spires of Eastern architecture, pointing
our people to the heaven of Islam.
This plot or plan, scheme or conspiracy,
however it may be classified, was revealed
yesterday by a member of the Greek colony
of Cleveland. S. Caraboolad is a prosper
Gus merchant, q patriotic Greek, and the
prophet of his people in this city. This is
substantially what Mr.. S. Caraboolad has
to say:
one day last week ten Mohammedan
priests arrived in Cleveland on a seemingly
mysterious mission. The exact nature of
their errand the band surrounded with
much secrecy. Certain Greeks Swallowed
them, however. and it was soon learned
that the fellows were aking in the swell
residence streets of the city, where they
. 4 - n tnIIcn 70 hnrre.n n.~ a.
copies of the Koran and preaching the faith
of their prophet. 1t seems that they have
been surprisingly successful in their efforts,
one OF their p~roSelyteS having turned over
her home to them as a place of meeting for
converts. The willy OrientalS confine their
operations. almost exclusively to feminine
subjects, in whose highly emotional wa
lures and romantic minds they find a fe-
cund field for the seed they are sowing.
For a long. time, as is well known, the
Moslems have striven to gain a foothold
for their sect on American soil. In New
York city they have gathered many follow
ers, recruited from the Christian ranks.
But the municipal authorities, influenced
no doubt by the ferVent opportunities of
devout Christian citizens, have steadfastly
refused these alien worshipers a permit for
the erection of their sacred mosque. So
these faithful followers of the prophet, de-
spairing of proper protection in Gotham,
decided to begin operations at the center
of things and gradually extend their rami-
7ications to every point of the compass.
S'There is also a deeper significance in
this startling and audacious move than at
taches to any desire for the extension of
a fanatic faith. Developments are antici-
pated in European politics which may rem
der it advisable for many Turks and other
MoSlems to turn their faces from toward
Mecca, to the land of the setting sun. Some
far seeing people who have their touch
constantly upon the pulse of the situation
predict that when the crisis comes there
will be {. mighty exodus of Mussulmans
to American shores. These missionaries
are supposed to be merely the -forerunnerS
of this great army of Orientals, and their
purpose is to prepare the American mind
for their reception by treating a revolution
of religious sentiment. 1t is desired that
these people who shall come to the Occi-
dent with the name Of Allah on their lips
shall not be regarded simply as 'despised
Turks" but that they shall be received as
brothers and perhaps hOnored as the &C
knowledged adopts and leaders of a reli-
gious cult.
limited funds at their command, and they
spend their money with lavish p~rodigality.
If has been learned that they are in COM
munication with the Turkish legation at
Washington, and there is every reason for
the belief hat they are being aided in
their work by every power and influence
which belongs to both the throne and the
priesthood of the Ottoman empire.
Women seem to be adopting the fad
readily. 1t is claimed that some have
reached a state bordering on frenzy as a
priests are kept under constant, surVell-
lance by members of the Greek colony, and
we are already possessed of much startling
information which it would not be well TO
make public at this time. | will say, how
ever. that we may look for an early influx
hcient TO appall all followers OF the Chris
tan Attn