LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE CLOUD IN NORTH AFRICA.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") Sin,—Your timely article on The Sennsiya in the Spectator of March 10th requires correction in one small detail. The headquarters at Jarbub are not in the " Hinterland of Tanis " unless you reckon the two Turkish vilayets of Tripoli and Barca, and a portion of the Libyan Desert lying within the Egyptian boundary, as forming that Hinterland ? is rather the Egyptian Government than the French, who can keep an eye on this formidable organisation. The founder, Sidi Mahommed ben 'Ali es Senusi, died about twenty years ago. He nominated his son and successor, Mahommed, "Mandi" on the 1st of Moharrem A.H. 1300, in accordance with the ancient tradition. If the latter is still alive he may yet take up the role, vacant since the death of Mahommed ben Ahmed of Dongola. The Senusiya have been steadily building up a Berber " Transvaal " for over fifty years. They have the best harbour in the whole North African coast—that of Tobruk in Cyrenaica- in their sole power, whence they carry on an active export trade in slaves, and a constant importation of arms and ammunition from European traders. In 1884 they had fifteen cannons at Jarbub bought in Alexandria, and an arsenal for the manufacture and repairing of firearms and powder. They have never had the slightest difficulty in obtaining skilled European workmen. From Tobruk to Rabat on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, and from Magadoxo in Somaliland to the mouth of the Niger, they have scores of "Delagoa Bays." So that when the deluge bursts—though it is not likely to do so yet—it is not decaying France that will be able to stem the tide. You have constantly advocated the handing over of Morocco to France. The Sheikh es Senusi, who was born near Mostaghanem in Algeria, and who emigrated thence on the French conquest, and his family in exile, have never failed to impress on each new group of adherents the evidences of the French policy of sucking their North African colonies dry, regardless of the natives. The absorption of Morocco would not only increase the number of discontents and cement the theoretic affiliation of the Aissawiya, Shadheliya, Qaderiya, and other powerful Moorish brotherhoods with The Senusiya into a solid whole, appealing irresistibly to the inextinguishable national sentiment of the Berber race, but would also be a source of fatal weakness to the French nation, rotten at the core and insubordinate at the extremities, and which has already bitten off far more than it can eat! One may smile at the suggestion of the resurrection of the " Sallee Rovers," and of the return of the days when Europe paid tribute to the Algerine Corsairs, but who dreamed of the formidable fight to be made by "a handful of Boer farmers " ? Compared with the Transvaal, Jarbub has an overwhelming superiority in men, means, outlets, communications, and reserves; while in fanatical valour, pride of race, and unscrupulousness they are at least equal.—I am, Sir, &c., GEO. B. MICHELL.
2 Rue de l'Obscurite, Rue Bir el Hadjar, Tunis.
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