Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-20
FIGHT WITH MULLAH
TWO BRITISH OFFICERS AND
FIFTY MEN KILLED.
Col. Cobbs in Retreat and Calling for
Reinforcements Without
Delay.

4 dispatch from London last night says:
The foreign Office has issued an undated dis
patch from Col. Cobbs commanding one Of
the columns Of British forces operating
against the Mad Mullah In Somaliland. The
dispatch was forwarded through the British
vice consul at Berbera, Somaliland The
British forces engaged were composed en-
tirely Of native troops and levies. Col.
Cobbs says:
My force reached Erego this morning.
When about one days march north of
Mudug it was attacked in the thick bush
Two advances were made, and the enemy
was beaten back In the morning. His
losses were heavy, and we captured one
hundred rifles. Our force then proceeded
to collect animals for transportation pur-
poses and join the detachment at the
stockade camp. In the afternoon a recon-
noissance was made, and after sharp fight
ing the enemy was again driven off.
Il deeply regret to report the following
casualties: Col. Phillips and Captain Angus
and fifty men killed and about one hundred
men wounded. The latter include Captain
Howard and Lieut.. Everett, but both are
doing well. There We're severe losses among
the transport and riding camels. The force
will reach the stockade camp tomorrow, and
will advance to attack the enemy
The vice consul also telegraphs the sub
stance of a later dispatch from Col. Swayne,
who says that as a result of the fighting at
Erego. October &. which was very severe.
the Somali levies are considerably shaken
The Mulah, who is said to be in commu-
nication with Kali and Inger in the direc
ton of the Webb river, Is bringing up re-
Inducements from all sides.
Col. Swayne is much hampered owing to
the necessity of transporting the wounded
and water. He is retiring on Bohotle. He
asks that 600 further reliable troops be dis
patched from Berbera forthwith
The serious reverse In Somaliand places
the small British force there of about 1900
men, of doubtful reliability, in an exceed
ingly perilOus situation.
Since the beginning of Col Swayne's sec
ond campaign against the Mullah last May
little has been heard Of the expedition. The
present dispatches seem to show that he
was retreating northward when the Mullah
attacked him at Erego
Last December the Mullah was reported
to have about Il, 900 men, mostly mounted
a large percentage Of whom were armed
with rifles. 1t Is possible that he now
commands about 1900 men. With this
large force harassing him, Col. Swayne has
to retreat to Bohotle. $50 miles, and prob
ably still 100 miles farther to Burao This
march must be made under a scorching sun
and over an arid and roadless desert even
II the retreat is successful. The gravest
anxiety will be felt until further news is
received. The entire expedition will have to
be reopened on a much larger scale
Col. Swayne Is accompanied by over
twenty white officers and has with him
some Maxim guns and some seven-pound-
erS.
The Mullah's success will set the whole
Ogaden and DOlbahanta country afame
Trade returns at Berbera and Bulhar have
shown an enormous decrease since the OBJ
eratlons Of the Mullah cut off access to
the rich markets of Ogaden and Dolba-
hanta
1t was announced by Lord Lansdowne
foreign secretary, in parliament last sum-
mer that the Italians were cooperating
ha ,tpb
made public today does not mention Italian
help, 1t Is supposed that some local diff
Guilty was found In arranging for the CO.
oSeratfon.
The Times and other NEWSPAPERS this
morning publish editorial articsle on the So
maitland situation. and warn the govern
ment against any further half-heartedness
or half measures. which they say have al
ready cost so dear, in either BREAKING the
back OF the present rising or in the future
pacftication of the country