The sun., 1912-07-21

~ Of affairs in Moslem lands and
those who. while living in Amer
ica. keep in touch with relatives
and friends in Mohammedan countries.
agree that holy wer is q danger Of the
near future Wits conditions Of TN
rest among followers OF Islam have ex-
sted for long time. il WAS not until the
war between Italy and Turkey over
rripoli broke out that the irritation among
Mohsmmedans throughout the world
became especially marked
one Of the best informed men in Amer
ica concerning affairs in the Mohamme-
dan world is Amecn Rihani. ct present
a citizen Of New York Mr. Rihnn is n
rative Of Syria end is now in the East
pursuing invest igat ions into the situation
BEFORE leaving he expressed very de-
cided lelief thet a crisis was rapidly
approaching and that Europe with its
greed for territorial acquisition is largely
responsible for the danger. Hc pointed
out that the crisis il more alarming than
whom the M&hdi and the Mad Mullah
headed risnes. for now rs never before
the forces Of the Mos !ems are scient tiicaly
trained in the arts of warfare and ere un-
der rigid discipline 1t is no longer the
case that the warning Mohcmmedans
have to depend for success on u fana,i-
cism which mG!ies death sure entrance
10 the MussulmGn Paradise if met in
battling with the unbeliever. That ia
naticism he's proved itsclf trying enough
TO the soldiers Of the European nations
who have had to do bettlc with the Sahara
iribesmen in the past. but when this
fanaticsn is superposed upon skilled
military practoe, ga il is in the present
crisis. the results may bc serious. II is
estimated tha. the MokammedGn peoples
have $780, 900 OF such trained soldiers.
Mr.. Rihani adds to the enumeration
At least 5000. 900 or 4.OOO. 900 more fighting
men from the tribes in Africa. This
makes Moslem enemy of $500, 900 fight
ing men which Europe may be lied upon
10 face. men who count their lives a.
nothing when called upon to attack the
"sufs," as all non-Moslcms are called.
To be sure. the I 800. 900 Of soldiers Mr..
Rhari refers to are now under European
officers. but the word islam" means
obedience" and the Moslem knows no
higher authority than the Koran and
those who interpret that sacred book
for him. Commenting on this situation,
NJ. Rhani says:
The day il coming soon when the
European officers in these Mohammedan
regiments will not be obey i. when in
Algeria. in Tunis. in Morocco. in Egypt.
in India. in East Africa. in central Asia
the Mosleim regiments will follow the green
flag Of tn" Prophet. needing no command
ment but the commandment Of Allah as
set down in the Holy Book
This opinion il also held bv the Right
iev. Raphael Eawa~eeny. Bishop for the
syrian races in America in communion
With the Orthodox Greek Catholic Church
Bishop Raphael lives in Brooklyn. where
his cathedral is est tablished. He said last
week that the course Italy was taking in
the north Of Africa and the actions of
other European countries wore driving
the Mohammedan world into fanaticism
which might have serious consequences
for the civilized world
Bishop Raphael is himself a Syrian.
Although he has been in America for
eight years. he keers in close touch with
Affairs in his native land and is constantly
in communication with immigrants from
these places where the fever OF religious
excitement ia beginning 10 be felt.
Being the American head OF n hierarchy
whose missionaries are working all over
the sections covered by the spirit Of Mos
lem unrest. his views on the spread Of the
faith are worthy Of consideration.
Il do not think that the Mohammedans
are gaining any strength on the European
side Of the Bosporus." said Bishop Ra-
rhsel. "but they are making vast strides
on the Continent of Africa. While the
Christian Church is sending it's mission
ar,es To the black men on the Coast and
in the interior and making converts. it IL
unfortunately true that the Moslem mis-
sionaries, IL We can call them such, are
having much greater success.
For every Christian convert it is prob.
ably safe TO count two for the Moham-
m.dans. and everybody knows'the zeal OF
the convert. Indeed. it is notorious that
the country which Mohammedanism has
always been considered the stronghold
Of that faith is falling behind other Sec
tions where Islam is followed, and in the
event of holy war is not unlikely to be
lost as Caliphate. Turkish freethinking
and atheism have undermined the faith
in that land and the Turks are now looked
upon with suspicion by their rcoreligionis.s
IN other parts Of Mediterranean shores"
Both of the authorities already cited
agree that the one man in Turkey who could
have united the forces Of Islam and COM
rnanded the irrespect and obedience is now
In prison at Salonica. and they agree also