The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-19
NILE VALLEY In DANGER
SENOUSsI SOCIETY SAID TO BE PRE-
PAIRING FOR A HOLY WAR.
Nine Millions of Ready, 1t Is
Said, to Rise and Drive Christians
Out of Egypt and Nubia.
Toledo Blade.

ing with undated interest the remarkable
events now transpiring in China and pre-
pares itself for news of stirring episode and
perhaps of sanguinary encounters hat may
set the whole Orient afame. in the very
heart of Africa has started a little move
ment, curiously analogous to, but vastly
more formidable than the Boxer movement
in China. The chief of the Senoussi Society
declares that he is about to declare a holy
war against England. in order to drive
them forever from the Nile valley. The
S~enoussi Society numbers over 100000
armed members, and the new Mahdi is able
to put an army of 5000, 900 soldiers into the
field. Guns and ammunition of the latest
type are at his disposal, and the work OF
Kitchener may be undone at any moment
There is, however, but little reason TO doubt
that the matters are taking a serious turn,
and as the following authentic account OF
the Society of the Senoussi and its aims
will show, it is not the English dominion in
Egypt and the Sudan which is threatened
with the new danger. but the French ex-
pansion in Central Africa.
The Society of the Senoussi is one of the
highest Importance for the political future
of Africa, as well as for the war that,
sooner or later. will be waged between the
Christian powers and the Mohammedan
world. This society was founded in 1855 liz
the oasis of Djerabub. Its founder was
Mohammed Ben Ali ell Senoussi, an Arab
and direct descendant of the prophet, and
a native of Algeria. In the early '30s he
left his native land, breathing vengeance
against the French invaders and swearing
for himself and his descendants eternal
war against the infidels. For many years
he preached and taught at Mecca and in
Egypt, until in 1852 he settled down at
Djerabub, surrounded by hundreds of pu-
Fills and adherents, who had been attracted
from every part of the Mohammedan world
by the great reputation for piety n wis
dom which the sage enjoyed. Here he
founded the Society of the Senoussi, which
has become the most influential and pow
erful Mohammedan secret society in the
world The aim of this society is to rid
the Islam of all the later admixtures and
impurities and restore il TO the uncompro-
missing simplicity of the time of the proph-
ct. Every piece of territory where Islam
had reigned supreme is to be reconquered
under the dominion of Islam. The organi-
cation is an exceedingly strict one. What
ever else may have been the failings Of the
founder of this order he was an organizer
CT the very first rank. All brethren are
bound to keep the S%trictest secrecy in all
matters concerning the society. Uncondi-
tional obedience to the commands of the
grand chief of the society. as well as relig-
ious generation of his person as the repre-
sentative of the prophet, mutual assistance
in case of need and the most devout piety
are the chief rules of the society.
A FORMIDABLE SOCIETY.
The brethren do not wear distinguishing
garments, but they can easily make them
selves known to each other by means of Sc
cret signs. They have renowned the use of
tobacco and Of coffee, and as good Moham-
medans they do not touch any alcoholic
ture is another of the duties and aims-and
millions of dollars are spent by them an
nually in building little mosques and
schools in distant and out-of-the-way viii
lagos, where they provide for elementary
Mohammedan instruction through some
Jealous member of the fraternity. Agricul-
ture and planting of palms and olive trees
is greatly encouraged by them, and thus
the grand chief has been enabled to spread
his influence into every part Of the Mo-
world. In Asia Minor and Tur-
key, in Persia and India, in Algeria and
Egypt, the mysterious and almost unknown
regions OF Central Africa and in distant
China, yea, even in Java and Ceylon, his
influence is felt by every Mohammedan
community. In an immeasureably brief
time he learns anything that is worth
learning, and he is kept au courant of all
events of Importance in the whole world.
His orders are also transmitted in the
shortest OF time into the most distant re-
gions.
After the death of the founder of this So
ciety, which occurred in 1858, his youthful
son, Sidi ell Mahi, ell Mohammed ben Ali ell
Senoussi, became grand chief. He it is who
has brought the society to its present form
liable strength, and he is regarded by his
followers as the real and genuine Mahdi-
Messias, who will deliver the world OF
Islam from Its present humiliating position.
As soon as the proper time comes-in his
own good time-he will aid Islam to regain
Its lost splendor. The story of his riches
and of his power is familiar to every Mo-
Many a time a mere order is
sued by this powerful chief has suflced to
prevent a ~sanguinary conflict between two
Mohammedan potentates in distant parts of
Africa. There is not the least shadow of a
doubt that when he sees fit to proclaim a
holy war against the infidels the whole Mo-
population between Egypt and
Morocco, between Lake Tchad and the
Mediterranean. will arise at his bidding.
Tho Society of the Senoussi is a power
which must be reckoned with by every
state and country with colonial aspirations
in the Mohammedan Africa. Germany, with
her vast Mohammedan populations; France,
with her Mohammedan colonies; England,
With Islamite dependencies. must reckon
with this powerful chief, whose influence
cannot be overestimated. Like his father
Sidi ell Mahdi is a man of exemplary piety
and ascetfc mode of life. His endeavors to
IroInote peace between the various Mo-
hammedan tribes of Africa, to further the
interest in commerce, agriculture and in
dustries of every kind have only served to
strengthen his influence.
COURAGE OF FANATICISM.
Above all, he has inherited the indomit-
able courage of his father, his burning
hatred of all things European and the sui
len hostility to all endeavors to colonize the
Mohammedan territory of Africa. He has
no standing army beyond a few thousand
camp followers. But his residence at
Djerabub is one vast arsenal of modern
weapons of destruction, sold him by Euro
pean firms. All his adherents are bound by
q solemn oath never to go unarmed. to
practice the art of warfare whenever feas-
ible and to be ready to follow the chiefs
call All possessions are to be sacrificed for
the good OF the cause. The Senoussi nave
singled out the French as their most hit
ter m and Ii is only a matter of
months or weeks when they will oppose
the advance of the French against the
Tcaregs and toward the Lake Tchad. The
French are not blind TO this danger. One
colonial minister after another endeavored
to conciliate the grim foe but failed. Pres
ents OF money have been spurned with con-
tempt. Offers of slaves have been rejected.
Agents of the French government have
been refused admission to the grand chief.
The Sultan of Turkey met with better for
tune. According TO the rules of the So
ciety of Senoussi the Sultan of Turkey &c
not the lawful head of the Mohammedan
world. Only an Arab, and only a member
of the tribe Of the Kurashi and a descen
dant OF the prophet. is the rightful com
mander OF the Faithful. BY dint of fattery
and conciliatory e~ndeavors the Sultan and
the Mahdi are not at loggerheads.
In 1896 Sidi Ell Mahdin left Djerabub
where the mausoleum Of the founder of
- lit had hon Ax~tI -