New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-15
THE PAN-ISLAMIC PERIL.

Indian news il indsputably disquieting. Day
nv day renorts Of disaffect!On and of menaces
Of rovoIt Increase The disturbances at foonah
and Calcutta might have been purely local III
tbe,r origin. and so. indeed, that III Chitrai.
Rut the ugly suspicion that the last named
was melted from over the border IL now
strengthened and extended to the others. MOI
Russia. however. is regarded rs the promoter
Of sedtion. but the Amer OF Afghanstan,
under orders or suggestions from the Caliph OF
Islam. which makes the case much worse.
That potentate Is known TO have great lhnu-
ence. both political and religious, over Oil the
border tribes. which are locally regarded as De-
longing by right to the Afghan Empire some
of his officers were OH intimate terms win the
leaders Of the recent revolt In Chitral. Anu
now it is said he has recalled his principal dip
lomatic agents from India to Cabu including
that Var Mahomed at Bombay, who, while per-
hans not like Kipling's hero OF the same name
clown to kill or steal" has long been suspected
Of decidedly pernicious activity behind the
scenes That the Ameer should act thus, so
soon after sending his son to visit England anu
making so many protestations or Loyal TREND
ship is an uncOmmOnly dis8greeaDie surprise 10
the British Government For an attempted re-
newal Of Russian intrigues Mt Cabul or further
Russian encroachments on the Murghat ana
Herr Rud 1t has long been prepared. But this
proclamation Of Jehad, if it shall come, VIII
be another and far more difficult matter.
The outbreak Is surprising, however, only In
its place and manner. British statesmen nave
long been aware that Panlslamic propaganda
has been nsidiOusly in progress Tor man!
years II emanates originally from Constan-
tnople, and from the Yildz Kiosk itself. us
history is briefly this Early in Abdul llamids
reign came the great disasters OF the RUSSIAN
war; which seriously impaired the Sultans
prestige throughout his Empire Then came
the revocation Of the constitution and the re-
turn to personal rule, which alienated the hu-
merous Young Turkey" party. 1t was neces-
sary TO do something to restore his authority
and popularity. Political reforms were out or
the question foreign war was Impossible.
There remained, therefore, nothing but an ap-
peal 10 MOslem fanatcism. The Sultan put
himself Mt the head OF a Pan-lslamic move
ment Caliphate Commission was created
sitting at the YildiZ Kiosk. Agents were SEM
to all Mahometan countries, Including lndia'
Afghanistan. Algeria, Egypt and the Soudan'
and the results Of their labOrs are. 1t Is be-
lieved now becoming apparent. In ASA Minor
fanaticsm has become militant. In Algeria
there is such unrest not for many years be-
fore In Egypt while the Copts are contented
the Moslcms are hostile to the British occupa-
ton. And now come disaffection and threats
of worse in India.
That Abdul Hamd desired, in undertaking
this movement any general revolt and proc
lamation Of Jehad Is not to be supposed. He
aimed merely to make his own place as Sultan
and as Callph of Islam secure. He wished.
through his zeal for the faith. TO vindicate his
title to the Caliphate and to lead Mahometan
rulers and peoples throughout the world to re-
gard him as the unchaenged Commander of
the Faithful But men cannot always control
the forces they unlOOse. The experience OF
Frankenstein Is often realized in actual life.
Moreover one step necesstates another. Hay
ing started the Pan-Islamic propaganda, the
Caliph must himself keep pace with It, If
single Mahometan community becomes fren-
lied through the celebrations Of some mad
"Moulvie of Faizabad." all others must stand by
It, A Jehad may mean revolt not only against
British rule in India, but against French rule
in Algeria and even against Russian on the
Oxus and Jaxaltes. That is the consideration
which makes these Indian troubles appear so
grave 1t is not an Indo- Moslem mutiny against
John Company. 1t Is a Pan-Islamic antagonism
against all Christendom. That Is the peril TO
the peace Of the world.