The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-20
BRITISH REVERSE.
Col. SWayne's Force Retreats
Before the Mad MulIah
Like Kitchener and the Others,
He Regrets to State.
HIS LOSS is HEAVY.
Fifty Killed and 100 Wounded
Including Officers.
Government Plans to Send Out
Strong Re-enfOrcementS.

London, Oct. 20.-The foreign office
has issued an undated dispatch from
Colonel Swayne, commanding one of the
columns of the British forces operating
against the Mad Mullah in Somaliland.
The dispatch was forwarded through
the British vice consul at Berbera. So
maitland. The British forces engaged
were composed entirely of native troops
and leVieS. Colonel SWayne, says:
My force reached Erego this morn
ing. 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. Their losses were heavy and
we captured 100 rifles. Our force then
proceeded to collect animals for trans
portation purposes and to join the de-
tachment at the stockade camp. In the
afternoon a reconnaissance was made,
and after sharp fighting, the enemy
were again driven off.
Il deeply regret to report the follow
ing casualties.
Colonel Phillips and Captain Angus
and so men killed and about 100 wound
ed. The latter include Captain Howard
and Lieutenant Everett, but both are
doing we'll There were 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
substance of later dispatch from Col.
Il.
the fighting at Erego, October 6, which
was very severe, the Sonali levies are
considerably shaken. The mullah, who
is said to be in communication with
Kali and Inger. in the direction of the
Webbe river. is bringing up reinforce
ments from all sides.
Colonel Swayne is much hampered owing
to the necessity of transporting the wound
ed and water. He is retiring on Bohotle
He asks that 900 further reliable troops be
dispatched from Berbera forthwith.
The severe reverse in Somaliland places
the small British force there, of about 5000
men of doubtful reliability, in an exceed
ingly perilous situation.
Since the beginning of Colonel Swayne-s 5
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
muliah attacked him g. Eregsse East De-
iscember the mullah WAS reported to have
about 1000 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 has
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 scorching
sun and over an 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 much larger
scale.
Colonel Swayne is accompanied by over
twenty white officers, and has with him
some Maxim guns and some seven-pound-
ers.
The mullahs success will set the whole
Ogaden and Bolahanta country afame.
Trade returns at Berbera and Bulhar have
shown an enormous decrease since the op-
Grafton of the mullah cut off access to
the rich markets of Ogaden and Bolba-
hanta.
| 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
ian help, it is supposed that some local
difficulty was found in arranging for the
cooperation.
London, Oct 20.-The British govern
ment is considering the expediency of
dispatching Indian troops to Somaliland
to deal with the mad Mullah.
The British vice consul at Berbera.
Somaliland, in cabling to the foreign
office here the substance of the later
dispatch which he received from Col.
Swayne, commander of the British force
| opera ting against the mad Mullah. re-
ferred to the Mullah being in communi-
cation with Kali Inger." in the direc-
ton of the Webbe river. He apparently
meant Karl Inger," the former officer
of the Austrian Hungarian army, who
has several times been mentioned in
connection with the Mullah's move
ments in Somaliland. Inger is also said
| to have caused the British authorities
trouble in the Soudan some years ago.
Gen. Manning started from London
for Somaliland some days ago. and will
hasten the direction of reinforcements
from Berbera.