Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-03-23

M den advance on the last MUS
sulman possession in North Az
RIGA, European Christendom has
been wondering with no little
apprehension, and some conscious
guilt, whether the act may not evoke
I great sympathetic outburst on the
part OF the Islamic peoples, number
ing some two hundred millions. and
including legions of the fiercest tight
ing men in the world. Such a notion,
however, is the merest nightmare
For nothing is less possible than a
union OF the Moslem for an attack
upoti the rest of the world or any
part OF 1t, The Islamic danger. OF
which am not denying the existence
In certain forms, 10 practically con-
fined to Africa, and between modern
Islamio sentiment In Asia and Africa
there IL a great gulf fixed.
In Asia the inspiration OF twentieth
century Islam Is desire for cultural
progress. Among the Mohammedans
Of Asia, whether In VTurkey, Persia,
Afghanistan or India and even in
Arabia, general consensus of the
best and most enlightened opinion
holds that the future power. iniiu-
ence and continued existence OF ls-
lamic races depends upon their as
similation of western learning, science
and even social systems.
But in Africa Islam exists on a
;. much lower mental level. and, while
: still inspired by the fires OF agrees
sive fanaticism, nevertheless lacks, as
yet, the cohesion necessary to make
1t really formidable. But 1t has never
lost it's sanguinary possibilities or dis
carded its hope of supremacy by the
sword. This lively militant faith, in
which we may discern an Islamic per
II. is enshrined In a number OF secret
sects or confraternities These at
present are for the most part bitterly
at variance with one another, and in
capable OF common action even
against the Christian. Should, how
ever. one OF these confraternities sue
coed In obtaining dominant power
and influence, q general attack upon
white interests from the Mediterra-
mean to the zambesi might become a
much more serious possibility.
II is in this contingency that an
Islamic peril lies, and it's menace is
essentially African. AS yet this union
of sects under one leadership. with
one cooperative impetus. has not
been achieved, but 1t is even. now
threatening, and there is sufficient evil
dence that there are those who are
working with secret but undaunted
persistence for the eventful triumph
Of Islam In the Dark Continent. In
, fact. no extraordinary has been the
success OF the Senussi Brotherhood
that all the signs would seem to point
lions of native Africa to this great
militant organization. Its keynote is
incorporating resistance to Euro
pean aggression, and revival of the
earlier fighting spirit of Islam.
A disposition Is evinced by occa-
sional writer's who are not conversant
with its persistent propaganda to be-
little the Senussi power and influence.
But It 10 otherwise with those who
have passed many years In close touch
with the peoples OF North and Cen
trial Africa, and with the puIsations of
unrest which are forever passing up
and down through the veins and ar
tories of the Dark Continent. Many
an officer Sof British and French colo
NAL ilevies. has encountered the signs
aud tokens, Of a systematic organiza-
tion which II would be foolish to ig-
more. II 10 from these men that the
following particulars come. and their
story 10 an Interesting one.
About nix hundred miles south of
the Mediterranean AID 500 miles west
of the Nile. ncomphssed by bowling
wastes OF desert, in which the wells
are sixty and seventy miles apart, lies
the Saharan stronghold OF the s,enusai,
the town Of Jofro. in the oasis OF ku-
fra. Here IL the headquarters OF that
able and mysterious parsonage re-
ferred to as Senussi. who is regard ed
by the myriads OF his devoted follow
Ing as the true mahdi, and in THIS
place. they saTS stcld. he is watching,
planning. and preparing for the great
day when the green standard shall be
unfurled oyer Africa and the dark
race shaIl rise and night for the land
of their Inheritance.
An officer in Nigeria was recently
told by native sergeant that he be-
longed TO the Senussi Brotherhood
Asked what It all meant. he replied
quite frankly. When all is ready we
shall drive all the white people out or
the land. !. But the time is not yet"
from tAis man the ofiicer ascertained