The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-19
THE SENUsSI HI
Some Facts About the Noted African
leader Who Recently Died.
London Standard.

LONDON STANDARD.
The death of the Sheikh Mahommed es-
SenuSsi is an event of some Importance.
Senussi was the acknowledged head OF a
powerful semi-religious, semi-miltary con-
fraternity, whose headquarters were in the
Borku oasis of the Sahara, but whose in
fiuence extended from Morocco to Mecca
and from Lake Chad to Derfur. The
founder of the sect, who preached a return
to the primitive doctrines of the Koran,
was Mohammed Sidi, father of the sheikh,
whose death is now announced. Moham-
med Sid, a descendant of the prophet,
through Fatma, gained a great reputation
sanctity. He performed the pilgrimage
to Mecca and afterwards founded a con-
vent at Alexandria.
His doctrines not finding favor with the
Sheikh ul-Islam, Mohammed Sidi re-
tired to the Libyan desert. At first he
settled near BenZaZi, in the peninsula of
Barca, afterward removing to Jerabub,
near the oasis OF silva. At Jerabub he
gathered together a large following and
when he died, in or about 1860, the Senus-
81 organization was firmly established. His
son, who cherished bitterly anti-Christian
feelings, had largely extended the power
OF the brotherhood, which now has con-
verts scattered all over North Africa. Dur
Ing the seventies he removed further into
the Sahara to the oasis of Kufra, and en-
tirely closed the desert TO European trav-
elers. He acquired a predominant iniu-
ence over the ancient Sultanate of wadai,
which he prevented from falling under the
sway OF Mohamet Ahmed, the Sudan NAH
di. With the mahdfs movement Senussi
would have nothing to do, and he con-
temptuously rejected Mohamet Ahmed's
offer to make him (Senussi) one of his
khalifas, or lieutenants.
About the time of the Fashoda crisis the
Senussi sheikh made an important move
ment southwestward into the Tripoli him
terland. When, in March, 1899. the Anglo
French agreement defining our respective
spheres of action in North Central Africa
was made, ii was found that the Senussi
n0InfFN Inv QnfirplV within 81. TN..--A
sphere. For a time the campaign against
Rabeh kept the French fully engaged. but
last year the forces of the French and
the Senussi came into conflict in Kanem.
the kingdom in which the Senussi is re-
ported TO have died. For MANI years the
followers of the Senussi had spoken of
their sheikh as FL M~andi-''the guided
one who is expected to complete the work
left unfinished by the prophet-and from
reports which have reached France of the
lighting In kanem 1t would appear that the
Senussists have proclaimed a 'holy war
Ii Is, however. impossible as yet to esti-
mate the strength of the Senussi army.
or whether the brotherhood intends at this
time seriously TO challenge the advance of
the French.
At present the colonial ministry in Paris
has given orders for all aggressive military
experience IL might be expected that the
Senussi would remain quiescent If left
alone. They have, however. largely ex-
tended their influence westward during the
~
east of Lake Chad. being the last country
to fall under their sway. In 1899. when
kanem was traversed by the Foureau-
Lamy and Joilland missions, II was free
from Senussism. Since then Mohammed es-
Senussi and the Sultan of Wadai have
placed themselves in closer relations with
the Sultan of Turkey. and through the
vtlayet Of Tripoli there exists a safe and
easy means or commandments of i'm
porting warlike stores. IL the new head OF
the rotherhood-wh will be either a son
or brother OF the sheikh just deceased
were To choose TO begin an active campaign
he would not lack for men. money or NUM-
tions-and the Arabs of the Sahara are
among the finest lighters I'm the world. Not
only would the French position on Lake
Chad be threatened. but also il might be
found that the newly established British
posts in Bornu would be in danger In
deed. the whole of North Africa might be
involved I'm the conflict. Nothing is known
OF the personality of the Senussi leaders.
and this Ignorance greatly adds to the per-
pscxity OF the situation.