Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-16
Natives Ignore italian Appeal.

on the aSTlCulIuTdl auO OIncr WOrk OF
the country.
Natives Ignore Italian Appeal.
The letters refer to the use of aero
planes by the italian army in scout
ing and observation work above the
Arab and Tripolitan forces encamped
in the desert oases and in the very
outskirts of Tripoli itself. These aero
planes. which at first terrified the
tribeSmen, have become so common
that they receive little attention from
the Arabs. Handbills. printed on thin
paper. are carried by the ayiators
the camps 81 the Arab forces. 4
translation Of one Of these handbills.
originally printed in Arabic. reads:
TO the Arabs Of Tripolitania:
What are you waiting for. in order
necessity of praying in your mosques
and Of living quietly with your families:
OF letting your animals or cattle Craze
in peace. and of taking up commerce
again in all security?
I'VE have read the book.
I'VE are also religious. and also hon
est. Italy is your father, because he has
married Tripoiitania, which is your
mother.
II tell you to come to us in all security:
no harm shall come to you and the past
will be forgotten.
II tell you that all those who come
to me with their guns and all of their
poleon twenty francs in gold and a sack
of barley or of wheat. The different po-
litical and religious chiefs will be ac-
knowledged by the Italian government
and will be paid for their services. My
word is unique Crue); Allah is great!
Pray to him that he will open your
eyes to the truth.
tSigned) GEN. CANEvA."
Mr.. Johnson's correspondents say that
so far the Arabs have paid no attention
tions, using the bills thrown from the
aeroplanes for cigarette papers, as the
war and blockade has made it difficult
for them to obtain papers for cigarettes.
sennoussi Declare Holy War.
The letters contain the informa ton that
the Turkish paper, Athena, on the day
the letters were mailed, printed a letter
from the Egyptian chief, FANNY Ali. wi o
is fighting in Tripoli with the Turks and
Arabs. FANNY Ali says that Sidi Ahmed
al Cherif al Sennoussi, comrnander-in-
CHER OF the Sennoussi. is actually on the,
way to the seat of war, having declared
jehad or holy war against the Italians.
He is at the head of a large army of IA
the correspondent writes that If this is
actually true the situation of the Italian
forces is indeed grave.
The Sennoussi, Mr.. Johnson says. are
the PuritanS of the Mohammedan faith,
and are religious fanatics to man. The
sect was founded about 1875 by an Arab
named 81 Mohammed Ben Si-Ali Ben SEN
noussi, who left his home in Algeria be-
cause of difficulties in his own family.
After wandering over the whole of north
ern Africa this hitherto unknown Arab en-
tered monastery in Cairo, from which
lie was later expelled because of his puri-
tanical beliefs. He took refuge in the
holy city OF Mecca, but in 1s4S he was
again forced to flee because of his re-
ligious beliefs.
Soon after this expulsion the sheik be-
gan founding schools and monasteries,
where his beliefs were taught and prosel-
lytes floeked to him. At the present time
the monasteries and schools of the Sen
noussi are scattered thickly over the him
terland of Tripoli and all OF northern
Africa
Puritans of North Africa.
The Sennoussi, while they have been
given the sobriquet of The Puritans of
North Africa" are practical. They dig
wells, establish schools and colleges. and
the basis of their belief is the purifica-
ton of Mohammedanisnl. They never
dance neve- sing, never smoke or take
snuff. and never even drink coffee. OF
course the use of wines or liquors is un-
known among them.
The founder of the order has been sue
ceeded by another cherif. or commander
in-chief, and the order today embraces
unknown millions of followers. scattered
over north Africa, India, China. Persia,
Arabia and wherever the Mohammedan
faith exists.
Up to the present time the Sennoussi
have not been aggressive, though for the
past twenty-five years 1t has been known
that they were collecting vast stores Of
arms and ammunition In unknown re-
cesses Of the great desert that fringes
northern Africa. Their present head
quarters is in the great oasis Of Kouffra,
| in the Libyan desert. No white man
| has ever succeeded in reaching this mys-
terious spot. though many have died in
attempting to hnd it.
Men of the Desert Implacable.
| Further advices received today by
Mr.. johnson from friends in Tunis
state that should the Italian and Turk
lish governments make peace the
Arahe and BedOuinS OF the north Afri.