The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-31

has introduced. the country is still abom-
inably misgoverned, and the people of sll
races and classes. except the highest, are
grievously oppressed alike by the Sultan's
own agents and by the tribal chieftans,
who possess much the same power as the
Norman barons did in the times of Ivan
hoe. They treat people who try to resist
their exactions very much as Front-de-
Boeuf sought to treat Isaac the Jew.
Many of these chieftains, especially in
the southeastern part of the Empire, are
very anxious to fight the French, who are
constantly encrOachlng on thier territory
and lending color in other ways to the be-
lief that they desire to annex Morocco in
the near future, as they have annexed AL
geria.
A RELIGIOUS POWER.
The young Sultan fully realizes the dan
gers of a conflict with France, and knows
that war would ruin his schemes for the
development and civilization Of his country.
He therefore uses his influence to keep his
chieftains quiet so far as he can. But his
power although absolute does not extend
over the whole of Morocco. Some of the
more distant tribes scarcely recognize his
temporal sway. He-a light-hearted, lively
young man who is just about unorthodox
as any Mohammedan can be--is obliged TO
influence these tribes in the capacity of a
great religious leader. The dynasty of the
Sharifs of Morocco is ineally descended
from the Prophet, and by virtue of that
descent Abdul Aziz is head of the Melekite
sect of Sunnite Moslems, to which all the
Moors belong. He also claims, in opposi-
ton to the Sultan of Turkey, the title of
Caliph of Islam and Commander of the
By welding this religious power with
decision and diplomacy remarkable in
man so young and so volatile, he has been
able, up TO the present, to keep the peace
between his turbulent tribesmen and the
aggressive French. But if the French
maintain their present policy a collision is
inevitable sooner or later, and there will
probably be some unpleasant surprises in
store for the invaders.
1t might have been supposed that the
French had had enough trouble and ex-
pense in conquering Algeria and suppress
ing the many subsequent revolts of the Gin
digenes" without wishing to tempt fortune
by the larger task OF attacking Morocco.
The British army knows the fury OF a
Ghazi rush on the hills of northern India
and respects the military qualities of "Fuz-
Zy-WuZzy" in the Soudan. The Morocco
tribesmen not a whit less warike than
those other Mohammedans, and they would
fight in a country which suits their tactics
and strategy well as South Africa
| suited the Beers.
A SECRET SOCIETY.
There is another consideration which
enters into Frances attitude towards Mo-
rocco, and that is the vast and growing
power of the Senussi cult throughout Mo-
hammedan Africa and, indeed, all over
Islam.
head OF this secret society. whose aim is
TO overthrow the Christian power and make
Mohammedanism dominant throughout the
world, controls millions of adherents Abdul
AziZ, like all other rulers of Islam, is in
close alliance with him. The former reck-
Ons on the help Of the Senussiyeh if France
attacks Morocco.
This society numbers millions of adher-
ents among the finest fighting races, and il
has worked steadily for generations towards
the end which is has in view.
II Drrr,-
can Macdonald. of the Hartford Conn
Theological Seminary, a profound student
of Moslem affairs "Europe-in the first in
stance, England in Egypt and France in
this storm, for this Mahdi is different
from him of Kartoum and the southern
Soudan in that he knows how TO rule and
wait; for years he has gathered arms and
munitions and trained men for the great
! jehad.' When his plans are ready and his
time Is come. a new chapter will be opened
in the history OF Islam, chapter which
will cast into forgetfulness even the recent
volcanic outburst i'm China"
Abdul Aziz, although young and COM
paratively untried man, would be a great
leader in war. if the Judgment of those
who know him best IS worth anything He
is as brave as a lion, and would as soon
tackle a wild boar or moutain lion with
his naked hands as eat his dinner. He
showed great courage and generalship in
putting down the recent fanatical insur-
rectiOn against him. which arose owing to
his fondness for Christians and Western
civilization.
when the French come" said an old
Bedouin sheikh who fought Adults father
and fought Abdul himself three times up-
successfully. 'he will show himself to be
a worthy captain of Islam. Verify he will
become the sword of Allah TO defend the
faithful and smite the unbeliever. The
blood of the prophet does not flow in his
veins for naught-" WILLIAM THORP.
Copyright, 1sOlI