Evening star., 1942-12-20
By James G. Wineo

prestige had begun to Wane because OF
their abuses of the Senussi Arabians.
Adolf Hitler, too, entertained great
hopes Of winning the coveted title. Mo-
hammedan friendship is vital to the con-
quest of that world island" Europe
Asia, advocated by the famed German
geopolitician, Gen. Karl Haushofer. :.
Before Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
was chased by the British far away from
his Egyptian goal. the Germans report
edly planned to restore the Caliphate in
the person of Egypt's King Farouk, with
proper elaborate ceremonies to be held in
Cairo's old Alazhar University and in the
presence of the muftis of Jerusalem and
OF Axis-controlled Poland and Yugo-
slavia. The rout of Rommel doubtless
deferred German plans indefinitely.
India Discounts Britain,
Great Britain's current unpopularity
in India. home of 90,0O0,000 devout Mos
lens, eliminates the British temporarily
in the race for the title of Protector of
Islam" Soviet Russia, which includes
Central Asia east of the Caspian Sea,
representing about 25,0o0,o0o Moslems Of
1urcoman origin, Is too preoccupied
with Germans on her soil 10 pay much
attenton to Moslems beyond her borders.
Notwithstanding the wide publicity
given recently to Negro Moslems defying
the Selective Service Act and expressing
sympathy with the Japanese, the num-
Der of American Mohammedans prob
ably does not exceed $500. However.
until the japanese took away the Phil
ippines. there were 100000 Moham-
medans under the American Flag.
During the 43-year occupation of the
Philippines, the American authorities
paid considerable attention to the Mo-
hammedans there and succeeded in win
ming their friendship and loyalty. The
successful American effort to improve
the status OF the Moros, as these Mos
lens are known. enhanced American
reputation throughout the Moslem world.
1t doubtless helped pave the way for
Moslem approval and appreciation of
the American invasion of North Africa,
for all Mohammedans are bound together
by superactive faith transcending ma
tional boundaries and political commit
ments.
Sultan Promises Aid.
Shortly after the landing OF American
forces in North Africa Sultan sidi Mo-
hammed, ruler Of French Morocco, cor.
daily assured President Roosevelt that
the Americans will find "only friends
and collaborators" in his dominion as
long as Moroccan prestige, soil, religion
and tradition are respected. In the
Philippines the American authorities won
over the Moros by leaning over back
ward in respecting the things specified
by the Moroccan Sultan.
Even before World War II, Sultan
Sidi Mohammed, also Emir -al-Muminin
Commander of the FaithfuD was no
mere puppet. His spiritupal empire ex-
tended all over Morocco, remnant of the
great Shereefian Empire, which in the
seventh century, included Europe's Iber-
Ian Peninsula. and succeeded in dark
ening by several degrees the complexion
OF the people in that region. Morocco
Is divided into three zones-ths
French protectorate, the Spanish pro-
tectorate and the neutral Tangier area.
The Morocco Sultan's friendship is a
valuable asset to the United Nations in
winning this war. All Moroccan Mos
lens. including those under Spanish Die
tator Franco, are the Sultan's spiritual
subjects. His authority sometimes goes
beyond the religious into the political
and economic. The Sultan of Sulu in
the Philippines exercised similar powers
over the Moslems in British North
Borneo.
The Morocco Sultan Is doubtless q
great parsonage in the eyes Of all Mo-
hammedans. and his friendship for the
United States viii influence not only his
spiritual subjects but also Moslems else
where. His preference for the American
side will guide the Mohammedans In
Algeria and even influence his CO.
religionists In Axis-controlled Tunis and
Spanish-held Rio de Orc. I'll
Friendliness Re- echoes. mn
Repercussions Of the American tnya-
sion Of North Africa will continue 70 be
felt in more distant Moslem territories.
Iraq's Prime Minister, Nuri es-Said has
sent President Roosevelt a message ex-
pressing the rejoicing Of Arab races
over the news of American landing in
North Africa. All signs indicate that
Turkey win become more and more
friendly toward the United Nations.
The Mohammedans ir India and other
parts Of Asia and Ia japanese conquered