The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-06-21

the Sheik OF the Senussi II
conveys little meaning to
the average reader, but
those conversant with conditions In
North Africa know that It refers to a
powerful secret society with a mem
berships sometimes estimated as high
as 100000; that the sheik is absolute
chief Of this organization and that II
Is but one out of a dozen societies
that embrace several million of the
Moslem inhabitants OF North Africa.
The order of Sidi Mohammed ben
Ali es Senussi is the youngest as well
as the largest and most Jealous of the
brotherhoods and a description OF II
will serve for all. since they differ
principally in having different found
ers and somewhat different rituals.
The followers of Sidi Yusuf ell Hansali.
for instance. repeat 200 times at each
of the five periods of prayer the fol-
lowing formula: 20 God, peace be
unto our lord and master Mohammed."
while the adherents OF Sidi Mohammed
ben Abderrhaman are bound to NUT
ter at least 5000 times a day the Mo-
hammedan declaration of faith:
There is no God but God: Mohammed
is the prophet Of God"
The Senussis owe their name to an
Algerian lawyer who left the country
on the French conquest and travelled
IN the Orient, becoming n disciple at
Mecca of Ahmed ben Edris who. dy-
In I'm,
The doctrine OF Chadhelism taught
by Ahmed ben Edris and taken up by
his successor consisted in a supposed
return to the original purity OF Islam
and a general remuneration OF the lux
uries OF life. His followers were
taught to obey no authority unless II
showed itself worthy by proper OBJ
servance Of the Koran, and to have no
dealings with Christian or Jew.
Taxed for Aims.
The brothers live all over North AZ
RIGA following their usual pursuits and
wearing no distinguishing mark save
the rosary common to all Moslem
secret society men. In practice they
are bound unquestioningly to obey all
orders sent out by their superiors, to
carry all disputes TO their religious SUI
periors rather than to courts OF law
aad to pay an annual tax OF 2h per
cent. of their capital or. II without
capital, to do a corresponding amount
OF work on the domains of the broth
erhood. The wealth thus poured into
the various monasteries is largely dis
pensed in aims, which helps further
to increase the prestige of the order.
On the death OF the founder his son
succeeded him. The order continued
20 grow and the new head. In order to
be still more remote from civilization.
removed to the oasis of Kufra, deep
In the hinterland of Tripoli. The only
European who has ever set foot in
this stronghold was Gerhardt Rohlfs,
a German surgeon long attached to
the French foreign legion. Later he
pretended to be convert to Moham-
mechanism and during the seventies
made a series OF trips through the
Sahara. none OF which equaled in
thrills .he one to Kufra. He was ex-
posed almost as soon as he arrived
and turned back with a severe bullet
wound. The headquarters We're then
moved to a still more distant oasis,
but have since returned to Kufra.
In taking over the brotherhood
along with Tripoli Italy has received
q possession that makes a white ele-
plant by comparison seem like a use
full and desirable acquisition. Hatred
Of all unbelievers is one Of its prin-
cipal doctrines. II is capable of max.
ing . lot of trouble within its terri.
tory. The present head OF the order,
however. seems to be either very wary
o. else lacking In decision and energy.
. disposition that 10 traced back two
Aee A6es to Q crushing defeat which
the Preach inflicted on some of his
follovers during their occupation Of
The sahara The shsfk. II IL report.
Cd. had started holy var to prevent
that coro9sst but Tie ytonch had been