The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-07
POWERFUL mosLEM SECT
Which Is Growing Up in the Lebyan
Desert


The death of the sheikh Mohammed es-
Senussi Is an event Of some importance,
senussi was the acknowledged head of a
powerful seni-reIigtous. semi military
confraternity. whose headquarters were
in the Borku oasis OF the Sahara, but
whose influence extended from Morocco
TO Mecca and from Lake chad 70 Darfur
The founder OF the sect. who preached
a return 70 the primitive doctrines" Of
the Koran. was Mohammed Sidi. father
o. the sheikh whose death is now an
nounced. Mohammed Sidi, a descendant
OF the Prophet. Trough Fatma, gained
great reputation in Fee, some seventy
years ago, for sanctity. He performed
the pilgrimage to Mecca and afterwards
founded a convent in Alexandria. His
doctrines not finding favor with the
Sheikh ul-Islam, Mohammed Sid retired
10 the Libyan Deeert. At first he set
tied near Bengazzi. IN the peninsula Of
Barca afterwards removing to Jerabub.
near the oasis of silva. At Jerabub he
gathered together a large following. and
when he died in or about 1850 the Senus-
81 organization was firmly established
His son, who cherished bitterly anti
Christian feelings, had largely extended
the power Of the brotherhood, which
row has converts scattered all over
North Africa. During the seventies he
removed further into the Sahara 10 the
oasis OF Kurfa, and entirely closed the
desert 70 European travellers He ac-
quired a predominant influence over the
ancient Sultanate OF Wadai. which he
prevented from falling under the sway
Of Mohamet Ahmed, the Sultan Mahdi
With the Mahdrs movement Senussi
would have nothing TO do, and he con-
temptuously rejected Mohamet Ahmed's
offer to make him (Senuss) one of the
kbalifas or lieutenants
About the time Of the Fashoda crisis
the Senussii Sheikh made an important
movement southwestward into the Tripoi
tnterland. When in March. 1883, the An
glo-French agreement defining our re-
spectve spheres OF action in North Cen
trail Africa was made, it was found that
the Senussi country lay entirely within
the French sphere. For a time the cam
paign against Rabeth 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 reported 10 have died.
For many years the followers OF the
Senussi has spoken of their Sheikh as
E Mahdi-''the guided one" who is ex-
pected TO complete the work left unffnish- /
ed by the Prophet-and from the reports
which have reached France of the fight /
Ing in Kamen. It 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. +
Dr. whether the brotherhood intends at /
vance OF the French At present. the
Colonial Ministry in Paris has given /
orders for all aggressive military move 1
nents TO cease. Judging from past ex-
7erience 1t might be expected that the
Senussi would remain quiescent if left
alone They have however, extended
heir influence westward during the past
wo years. Kanem. which lies westward
II Leke Chad. being the last country 10
all under their sway. IN 1899 when
1anem was traversed by the Foureau
amy and Joilland Missions. it was free
rom Senussism. Since then Mohammed
s-Senussi and the Sultan OF Wadai have
'laced themselves in closer relations with
he Sultan OF Turkey and through the
ilayet Of Tripon there exists safe and
asy means Of communications % i'm
'orting warlike stores. II the new head
he brothe<hood-vho wili either be a son
= brother OF the Sheikh just deceased
sere 10 choose to begin an active cam
align he would not lack for men. money
= munitions-and the Arabs Of Sahara
re among the finest fighters in the
world. Not only would the French posi-
ion on Lake Chad be threatened. but also
might be found that the newly es-
E 5lished British posts in Bornu would
e in danger. Indeed the whole Of North
Erica might be involved in the conflict.
'othing Is known OF the personality Of !
be Senussi leaders. ard this ignorance
realty adds 10 the perplexity Of the
ituation--The London Evening Stand
I'd.