New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-02
SOMALILAND.
Continued from page nine.

ment to which he appeals is that of the most
intoerant form Of Islamism-that form. in
deed taught by the late Sheill-eI-Senoussi and
by his father and predecessor-the so-caIled
yelled Prophet of Jerboub a stronghold sit
uated in one of the most remote GASES of the
desert lying south of Tripoli-and which not
not only forbids, under the most severe penal
ties, all intercourse with Christians but actu-
ally goes TO the length OF teaching that the
Staying Of all unbelievers is an action most
meritoriOus in the eyes of Allah and of Mo-
hamet, insuring the Moslem paradise. 1t is by
no means impossible that a connection may
exist between the operations Of the Mad Null
lah' in Somaliland and the Senoussi headquar-
tiers
True, rumor has been in circulation re-
GENTLY TO fhe effect that El Senoussi IL had
been gathered TO his fathers. But his entire
existence has been environed With so much mys-
terry and little that was absolutely authentic
could be obtained concerning his personality, no
European having ever set eyes upon him, that
n is entirely possible that he may still be alive
and active, in spite OF the reports TO the con-
tTaTy. If dead, it is probable that he has
successor, who Will continue TO exercise power
and influence that extends throughout the Ma
hometan world. from the Atlantic seaboard
OF Western Africa to the Moslem population Of
the Dutch East Indies, in the Indian Ocean, and
OF the Philippine Archipelago in the Pacific
That El SenOussi was in sympathy with the
Aahdist movement in the SOudan was no secret
10 Lord Kitchener and to the British authOri-
hes at Cairo.
Indeed, il was largely owing 10 the fact that
the late Zebehr Pacha believed 10 be COM
municating 10 the Mahdi through Senoussi chan
nels OF communicatiOn-that is TO say, by way OF
Jerboub-the movements and plans of the Anglo
he If
soudan that he was suddenly seized one night
at Cairo without any form OF trial magis-
terial decree, carried on board a British man
o'-war lying of Alexandria and conveyed TO
Gibraltar, where he was detained as state
prisoner until the destruction of the Mahdi rem
eered his return &c Egypt possible in English
eyes. There is, therefore, no reason why Ill
SenOussi, who is credited with having been in
active sympathy with the rising of the MahOm-
etan frontier tribes of India against the Eng
hsh a few years ago. should not likewise be
backing the Mad Mulah' in his 'jehad,' or re-
ligious war, in Somaliand, for the war which
the -Mullah' wages is like that OF the der
wishes, far more Of religion than of loot,
since the Somali tribes now marching beneath
his banners have more TO gain from a material
point OF view by leyying tribute on the caravans
carrying merchandise to and from the English
ports on the littoraI than by putting stop to
all uaQes as lleg nave virtually AOhS-
The evil reputation which Somaliland has en-
Joyed for centuries, and TO which have made
reference above, is as much due 10 the danger
Gus features of certain points of the coast as 10
the untamable ferceness of the people, who, Of
Ethiopic or Hamitic origin, like their neighbors
the Abyssinians show to greater extent than
tht. latter the admixture of Arab and of negro
blood I do not think that there is any part OF
the entire coast Of the Dark Continent where so
many vessels have come TO grief in ancient and
modern times as in the neighbOriOOd Of Cape
Guardafui, which IS the extreme eastern point
of the continent. II is there that the ships !
which carried the gold from the mines of Ophif,
south of the Zambesi River for the building of
the temple Of King Solomon at Jerusalem, came
10 grief and many is the merchantman, and
even passenger steamer, which in modern times
has been driven by combination Of unknown
currents and sudden storms 10 its doom on that
dreaded portion Of the coast.
The religion professed by the Somalis, that is
10 saw. the most fanatic type of Islam, has the
effect Of keeping them engaged in constant war
fare with their neighbors. the Abyssinians, NhO
,,rofess what is probably the lowest class OF
Cbristianity Indeed Of the most cherished
,hie.ts of the Somali, and in fact of all the
,,.srlike Nahometan tribes Of that portion Of
Africa has been to prevent sbyssinia from Sc
curing or retaining possession Of a seaport on
she mort beast coast of the Dark Continent. This
&C. d,,a 10 an ancient MahOmetan prophecy, ac-
Cordine, 10 which Mecca, the most holy place OF