New-York tribune., 1902-11-02

AFRICA'S LEAST KNOWN CORNER NOW
THE SCENE OF ANOTHER OF ENG
LANDS DERVISH WARS.

Arabs describe "Bar-Agan.' the IN
known Land that particular horn of Africas
eastern coast which lies directly opposite Alden.
and which from time immemorial has enjoyed
so evil a reputation that not only has it been
avoided by the vast majority of explorers OF
the Dark Continent, but has likewise in the par
tition OF the latter by the great powers OF
Europe been left untouched, save as regards
the coast line, none of them caring to assume
the responsibilities of the sovereignty of the
Hinterland True, there is Italian. Eng
lsh, Abyssinian and a French SOmaland.
But the rule OF none of these four nations ex-
tends beyond the HttoraI. and as long as there
is undue attempt on the part of the natives
OF the Hinterland 10 interfere with the trade
that finds it's outlet and inlet at the various
stations on the coast the tribes of the interior
left to fight among themselves as much as
they please, and no attempt is made to bring
them under subjection.
1t is necessary to explain this. in view of the
military operations which England is
ducting in the Hnterland of her particular pOr-
ton of the Somali coast line-Initary opera
tions which have within the last two or three
weeks become sufficiently extensive to require
the hurried dispatch of entire brigade in the
way of reinforcements from India. For cou-
pie of years past dervish fanatic of the same
type as the Mahdi of Omdurman, and of the
called Mad MuIIah,' who was the author and
instigator of the serious revolt of the mountain
tribes the northeastern frontier of India.
has been not merely obstructing but almost
tirely stopping the valua bic trade of the British
Somal port of Berbera with the interior Last
year the English government came to the con-
clusion that if the prosperity of Berhera ahd
o. Zeyla was to be maintained and commercial
relations with the interior kept alive il would
be necessary smash the dervish leader,
who like his prototype among the Afr!dI races
Of Northern India above mentioned, has been
endowed by the English with the name of the
Mad Mullah"
AS usual i'll cases where As.;ttiC and African
campaigns are Concerned. the British Govern
ment underestimated the strength of the .'Aiui-
lah" Instead of that worthy being "sma he'd,
it is he who has forced several expeditions sent
against him to retire to the coast. In fact tc
Judge NV the latest news from Berher,. he
seems to have done some smashing on his
own account and the success which he has
achieved in esca ping deStru, tion At the hands
of the British forces sent against HIM, as well
as the iroumstauce that he has compelled Them
or several occasions to retreat with heavy
losses has naturally served to enhance his
pre- stige among the natives and 10 bring 10 his
standard Mahomet;tn fanatics, not alone from
Somaliland itself, but likewise from other por-
ticns of the Dark Continent. 1t is reported that
a large contingent of his followers is composed
Of dervishes of the Soudan who managed te
escape either slaughter capture at the timt
OF the overthrow of the Mahdi by Lord Kitch
ener at the battle of Omdurman. The senti
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