Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-10-23
BRITISH ARMY IN
MUCH DANGER
Surrounded by Much Greater
Force of Mad MuIlah in
SomaliIand.
JIM YOUNGER KILLS HIMSELF
Gives as His Reasons Poor Health and
Grief Over Separation From Friends
Found Dead In His Room With Revolver
by His Side. "

Alden, Arabia, Oct. 2O.-The British
punitive expedition under Colonel
Swayne sent to Somaliland, has
fought a heavy engagement with the
forces OF Mad Mullah. Major Phillips
and Captain Angus were killed.
Colonel Cobbs was wounded.
London, Oct. 20.-The foreign office
has issued an undated dispatch from
Colonel Cobbs. commanding one of
the columns Of British forces operat-
ing against the Mad Mullah in Soma.
liland. The dispatch was forwarded
through the British vice consul at
Berbera, Somaliland The British
force engaged was composed entirely
of native troops and levies. Colonel
Cobbs 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
transportation purposes and to join
the detachment at the stockade camp.
In the afternoon a reconnaissance
was made and, after sharp fighting,
the enemy was again driven of.
II deeply regret to report the fol.
lowing casualties:
Colonel Phillips and Captain An
gus and fifty men killed and about
100 wounded. There were severe
losses among the transport and rid.
ing camels. The force will reach the
stockade camp tomorrow and will ad.
vance to attack the enemy"
The vice consul also telegraphs the
substance of a later dispatch from
Colonel Swayne who says that as a
result of the fighting at Erego De-
tober 6. which was very severe. the
Somali levies are considerably shaken.
The Mullah, who is said to be in
communication with Kali and niger,
in the direction OF the Webbe river.
is bringing up reinforcements from all
sides.
Colonel Swayne is much hampered
owing to the necessity of transporting
the wounded and water. He is retir-
ing on Bohotle. He asks that six
hundred further troops be dispatched
from Berbera forts.
The severe reverse in Somaliland
places the small British force there
of about 5000 men Of doubtful reli-
ability, in an exceedingly perilous
situation.
Since the beginning of Colonel
Swayne's second campaign against
the Mullah last May. little has been
heard of the expedition. The present
dispatches seem to show that he was
retreating from the Italian frontier
northward when the Mullah attacked
him at Erego.
Last December the Mullah was re-
ported to have about 10000 men,
mostly mounted. large percentage
of whom were armed with rifles; 1t is
possible that he now commands
about $4,000 men. With this large
force harassing him. Colonel Swayne
has to retreat to Bohotle. $50 miles,
and probably still 100 miles further,
% Burao, the principal British from
tier post.
This march must be made under a
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 re-
peated 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.
The Mullah's success will set the
whole Ogaden and Dolsbahanta coun-
try afiame