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

tndI LWO-LnlruS Oh the men IN MS Gull
mand were likewise members OF the
sect. and several of them actually
priests or mullahs.
These latter, who are the secret en-
issSries of the organization, are
trained at Joffo, and are dispatched In
thousands throughout Africa, coming
and going almost invisibly. For q
long time past, however. the British
authorities have kept them under q
certain degree OF surveillance, com
polling them to carry a passDook
which they must get signed by the
officer commanding If they wish to
stay In any British station. II Is an
interesting proof of their ubiquity that
one of these some little while back,
when his book was examined by an
officer on the west coast, was found
have been in Khartoum during the
X &c. his pass bearing the signature
or the Inflated British leader.
Further information suggests that
the actually aftiliated members OF
Senussi-ism number over ten millions.
and that would be but fraction OF
the total force available II Senussi
Tic JeHdu 0SCuI0 III thC
heart OF the vast Saharan wilderness
he has, It is known, large stores and
munitions OF war. He possesses an
armory, and, there is good reason to
believe, an extensive factory for the
manufacture of arms and ammunition.
while much more is continually being
transported thither from at least three
different parts of Africa. Thither al
SO come offerings to the prophet or
costly gifts, together with frequent
dispatches from his many secret serv-
Ice agents not only in Africa. but
Europe as well.
The extraordinary persistence OF
Senussi-ism is carrying 1t far and wide
through Central Africa southwark to-
wards the Zambesi and the swarming
millions OF Pagan races who are
causing us no little anxiety in South
Africa today. II Is drawing into q
vast community OF native feeling all
the fierce races who md In its mill
tant creed a far greater attraction
than in Christianity. with its higher
moral standards, especially as 1t holds
out the promise of coming day when
deadly blow will be struck at the
hated white aggressor.
The missionaries of Islam are beat
ing those OF Christianity in Africa.
and, wherever they go, there the
Senussi brotherhood establishes itself
for beacon, as 1t were, on the hill
tops, waiting for the master-hand to
apply the torch. In that day the Euro
pean will find himself confronted by
overwhelming masses. and by an or
ganization, efficiency and armament
superior to any yet encountered In Ar
RIGA. Moreover, thousands have been.
and are still being, trained in white
methods Of warfare by British, French
and German instructors OF colonial
regiments.
Senussi Is an astute statesman, and
will only move when everything Is
favorable for an appeal. to a greater
unity of Mohammedan feeling and &C
ton than has been Witnessed for many
ages. Should. however, the Italians
ever attempt to push their outposts
southwark, they will experience the
fighting weight OF the most powerful
Islamic organization In Africa. Wheth.
er Senussi possesses light artillery
OF any sort has never been ascertain
able. says an officer in the Soudan,
but the extraordinary mobility OF his
following, their powers OF endurance,
their intimate knowledge OF the vast
bowling wastes OF desert, into which
they can always retreat and defy pur.
suit. are advantages with which the
Italian forces could never hope to cope
successfully.
Certain 1t is that amidst the last
nesses OF the Sahara keen eye Is
watching the growing dissensions OF
the great powers In Europe and else
where. Senussites themselves are
forced to own that the time for the
expulsion OF the white race from Az
RIGA Is not yet. But they tell one
with equal frankness that It may be-
II God wills--one day when the Chris
tians are cutting one another's
throats. II 10 in this that they look
for their grand opportunity. and 1t Is
possible even now that the outbreak
of great European struggle might
be the signal for mighty oonfiagra,
ton In Africa.