The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-21

London, Oct GA letter from an Off
Ger belonging to the Somaliland eXpedi
ton shows that the British force is even
in more preoarious position than has
been indicated in the official dispatches.
The writer says:
mo one will appreciate this business
until 1t Is too late We are in regular
trap and how we are going to get out we
do not know. We have had stiffish fights
and have lost many men. The worst Is
that our blacks are funking and our
camels have nearly all been killed or
captured We have next to no water and
we are miles from any wells We have no
supplies and nearly no ammunition. They
have captured two of our MaXims. l do
not suppose they care at home what hap
pens to us. 1t is a brutal shame to send
us blind into ambush like this. hear
fresh troops are coming up and only nope
they will come from India"
The writer refers incidentally to some
brisk fighting which he apparently pre-
sumes was already known here and adds:
''Thrty-three Of us escaped. BY Jove,
that was a pretty affair. We whites stod
put but-oh, well, we have TOO many
blacks"
The Recent Defeat.
The papers of yesterday had accounts of
the serious defeat Of the British force
sent into Somaliland, in east Africa, to
punish the Mad Mullah. In fight on Oct.
with the natives two British officers and
nifty natives were killed and a hundred
wounded. The expedition was then re-
treating.
The expedition lost a large part Of it's
transport and supplies. and many of it's
ramels were killed. The British forces
were made up entirely Of natives, with
English officers.
British Forces RetreatIng.
Colonel Swayne is much hampered ow-
ing to the necessity of transporting the
wounded and water. He is retiring on
Bohotle. He asks that 900 more reliable
troops be dispatched from Berbera forth
with.
Since the beginning Of Colonel swayne's
second campaign against the Mullah last
May, little has been heard Of the expedi
ton. The present dispatches seem to
show that he was retreating from the
italian frontier northward when the Null
tah attacked him at Erego. Last Decem-
Der the Mullah was reported to have
about $4,000 men, mostly mounted, a
large percentage of whom were armed
with rifles; 1t Is possible that he now COM
mands about Is, 900 men. With this large
force harassing him Colonel Swayne had
to retreat to Bohotle, $50 miles, and prob
ably still 100 miles further, to Burao, the
principal British frontier post. This
march must be made under a scorching
sun and over arid and roadless desert,
even If the retreat Is successful. The
gravest anxiety will be felt until further
news Is received. The entire expedition
will have to be repeated on a much larger
scale. Colonel SWayne Is accompanied by
over twenty white officers and has with
him some Maxim guns and some seven
Founders.
Whole Country May Blaze.
The Mullah's success will set the whole
Ogaden and Dobahanta country aflame
Trade returns at Berbera and Bulhar
have shown an enormous decrease since
the operations Of the Mullah cut off access
to the rich markets of Ogaden and DOL
bahama.
1t was announced by Lord Lansdowne,
foreign secretary, in parliament last sum-
mer that the Italians were cooperating
with Colonel Swayne; but, as the dispatch
made public does not mention Italian help
1t Is supposed that some local difficulty
WAS found in arranging for the co-Opera
ton.
Story Of the Mad MuIIah.
The Mad Mullah is the son Of Somali
shepherd. He has made the pilgrimage
to Mecca and is said to be about 80 years
old. While credited with the ambition
and cruelty common to all African relig-
ious adventures he has made his follow.
ers believe that he is a prophet, a mahdi
Zone led of Cod, born to lead all Of AL
labs hosts against his enemies, and that
no matter how powerful the guns Of the
foe no matter how clever their brains,
II 1t is Allah's will for his servants to
conquer, conquer they will, and western