New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-03
WARRIOR MONKS.
ho'ser Obtains from France a Mil
tary RELIGIOUS Order.

OF all the religious orders 81 the Roman Catho-
lie Church n is doubtful whether there is any
one in which the Old World arstocracy Is
extensively represented than the so-called Fra
ternlty 81 White Fathers. founded nv the late
Cardinal T.avigeTie for work I'm Northern Africa.
especially along the southern borders of Algeria
Tunis. Trfpoli and Morocco. This order. which
has played notable role in connection with the
promotion ~ the colonial interests OF France. has
now. by Of the latters new laws. aimed
against the religious associations. been compelled
10 leave French territory and 10 abandon all the
splendid work with which II was intrusted by fits
founder Taking advantage thereof. Emperor Will
lam has offered refuge In his doninions 10 the
White Fathers. He has given them sites and sub
Fldies To- the construction ~ seminary and of a
his monastery az Altkirch In AIsace. which is 10
serve as headquarters Of the order. and has ar
ranged that every facility shall given 70 them 20
pursue IN the German colonies I'm Africa and also
IN Morocco. where German influence is now para
mount the work which they have until now been
doing with So much success In Frances African
dependencies. Cardinal Lsvigerie. who was pa
tTiot Of the ardent and enthusiastic descrip-
ton. certainly never dreamed that the order Of
which he was so proud, and which he had founded
for the glory Of France should develop into an In
strument for the advancement OF German prestige
IN the Dark Continent
The order IN question may he regarded as the
modern embodiment of the knights az Malta and
~ the Knights Templar Of the cTusadng days For
II Is military well a religious order and
has sometimes been known that of the Warrior
Monks Of the Sahara The steel helmet OF the
knights Templar Of olden DAYS Is replaced by one
made of cork. with duly patented ventiatne appa-
ratus. The visor instead ~ being Of metal, is Of
cloth. similar TO those worn by the Tuareg Arabs.
covering the entire lower portion of the face. and
IN lieu ~ the pennant lance there is far more
deadly weapon in the shape 81 repeating rife
The object - the order is much the same that
of the knights Of Malta Of the Middle Ages. name
~. the delivery of slaves from bondage and the
propagation ~ Christianity by means not Of the
Gospel alone. but Of the Gospel allied n the sword
Cardinal Iavigerie. who spent almost his entire
life I'm Africa. learned there that the is indis
pensab. 20 the other-at any rate among the
turbulent and warllke races who nhabit the north
half If the Dark Continent. He had witnessed
the marvellous success OF the Moslem proselytism.
which. although attended by violence and blood
shed. has impaired a certain amount If civiliza-
tion and enlightenment 90 nations STEPPED in the
very lowest depths of pagan barharism. After
comparing the many millions OF converts Islam
with the relatively few thousands of converts 20
Christianity in Africa. and after n careful and
profound study Of the problern-a study for which
his breadth Of mind and beraiity % view particu-
larry fitted him-he Ia the conclusion that the
system of sending out UnaTmed missionaries TO
preach the Gospel. and nothing but the Gospel.
among the savsges all wrong, that both the
heroism and martyrdOn q these pioneers Of Chris
tanity were entirely wasted. and that II any ma
terisi good were 20 be achieved IL could only he
done nv means OF a radical change. With this
purpose In view he founded the Order Of the White
Fathers. who were organized with the idea that
instead Of meeky bowling their heads To receive
the martyrs crown, they should fight for their
lives
Their programme has been 20 attract sympathy
and good will by the development OF the pro-
ductveness of the existing oases ana by the crea-
ton Of new ones. where stations have been formed
for the relief of the sick for the offer OF hos
pitality 70 all Corners. Irrespective OF creed. and
for the refuge and protection or fugitive slaves
They have eudeavored 10 afford the natives
practical demonstration If the benefits and advan-
tages of civilization. TO preach by example the
elements thereof. and thus to prepare the ground
for conversion to Christianity. The latter al
though the principal object, Is the last In order:
for, instead ~ proselytisIn preparing the ground
for the seeds OF civilization, with the White
Fathers y Is the elements Of civilization which
prepare the ground for the seeds ~ Christianity
The headquarters IF the order have until now
been at Riskra. the Algerian border If tho great
Sahara Desert, on plantation known by the
name OF MSaila. which IL tho Arab designation
for place Of prayer" II consists almost wholly
of desert land reclaimed by the monks