The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-14
S0MALl'S
CAPITAL
Glimpse of the Town Long in
British Possession. ..
a PICTURESQUE PLACE
The English Started Their Expedition
Against the Mad Mulah from
There-Floods and Fevers
Abound.

Abound.
BERBERA, AFRICA. Juno 25.-Pcrhaps
It would be we'll to explain at the outset
that Berbera, tho capital of Somaliland,
has been an English possession for the
past twenty years, and that at present
1t is prominent as being the base from
which started the expedition against the
Mad Mullah, and to which for some little
time past tho expedition has been re-
turning--not perhaps with all the "pomp
and circumstance" with which 1T started
but still in quite a we'll organized condl-
ton. Perhaps the camores camel corps,
OF which so much has been said is some.
what of an exception. 1t has been dl1l-
cult matter to replace these valuable
animals, and the local market being fairly
we'll depleted, a supply Is looked for from
Alden, which Is just north OF mere, on
the north side Of tho Gulf of Alden.
The principal trouble here has been the
methods taken by the english quarter
master and supply departments to pro-
cure the camels Any one coming IN Win
string of these animals at time when
the army happened to need their services
was told that he must leave all but one
or two behind. He got fair price tor
his animals. and was given to understand
that when the troubles had Quilted down
he would have his string made up again.
But either the experience with such
promises has not been satisfactory or
the drivers were afraid to return to
their villages almost empty handed. What
ever may have been tho cause for some
time past camels have ceased coming to
this town.
TRAITS OF THE CAMEL.
I have dwelt on the subject of these
huge. ungainly auadrupeds, for they real
~ play a very important part In the lives
and fortunes of the natives. They do all
Of their carriage and transportation, and
are about the only animals that stand
the extreme heat and drought that are
everywhere apparent hereabouts. They
seem to have a minimum amount Of
sense and apparently do not appear able
to feed themselves. although green leaves
or stalks may be piled UP close to them.
One generally secs three or four of
them kneellng In group with small
negro boy feeding them. Then. too, they
apparently have little sense Of direction,
for when made UP In strings of four or
five there Is quite apt to be most d.
minutive, sober, intelligent looking lit
TIC AZ LILO letiut wiz oul III tlle
most important way ahead, while the
camels so along with their huge strides
and with an air as If they thought, well.
II that little chap is donkey enough, to
take the lead and show US where to go,
why should we care?"
The town. off which Is the anchorage,
IS at the head OF the harbor, and though
1t has rapidly Increased In size and I'M
portance since 1t became an English pos
SlocCi m \ n In mo efn md ,nr,-
ulation according to the season of the
year. Just now Is the off season, and
although His Majesty's Indian troops
help swell the size of the population, still
tho crowds Of travellers who come In Oc-
tober and camp outside the town, while
they throng the streets selling their wares.
nre not now to be seen.
FLOODS AND FEvERS.
While 1t Is the hot season here, It Is
also about time for the rains which
deluse tho country and make lighting
columns almost an impossbilty, as trans
pcrtation Is utterly out of the question.
| That is the chief reason why there is no
| fighting at present The rains bring with
them not only floods, but terrible fevers
It has been necessary to keep large
steamer consanly at nand here, fitted out
ms hospital ship, and from what one
we'll patronized.
1t Is possible that the Tower OF Babel
would find a ut resting place here, for
during tho trading season the numerous
arrivals from abroad by sea as we'll as
from inland cause apparently a terrible
confusion. If 1t were not for the TAB
baus,' or trading agents, 1t seems as
though hardly any business Mt all could
he carried on. There Is quite variety
ir the display of articles even at the
fag-end OF the business season. and the
articles are In many cases most tempting
~ displayed. One finds beautifully
marked skins and feathers of various
cclors and shapee.
Such splendid ostrich feathers would
be hard to beat, Tho coffee, too, Is en-
cellent. although not made quite as we
like 1T at home. Still the finest Mocha
coffee comes from Just across the gulf,
and lie one knows just how to roast 1t
hn is sure of having an agreeable flavor
after his dinner, They recommend rub
hing little butter In among the Deans,
then roasting 1t over a slow fire until
It gets to be about snuff color. and grind
Ing 1t Just before using, The officers
cooks seem to have learned the secret
for they prepare most delicious cup or
coffee. and although they cannot always
carry out the recipe. the result Is pal
atab!e.
Myrrh gums, sheep and goats are also
STAPLE articles which are exchanged for
cottons. rice, dates, sugar and 50 forth,
brought from various parts of the globe.
I did not notice any OF our marks on the
piece goods, much as would like to have
done so. However, one learns out In these
faraway places that there Is such thing
possibIe as putting the wrong mark on
the right piece
TOWN NOT WITHOUT ITS CLUB,
The new part of the town has nice,
| broad streets regularly laid out, with the
greater part of the houses that border on
| them constructed OF masonry. or course,
| there is a club In the town. and indeed.
| IT would be hard to find half dozen
| Engllshmen together In any place without
as nice. cool, breezy bungalow as the
location and climate permitted. Just now
| the clubs PATRONAGE IS largely made up
| of the officers OF the various troops en-
camped here. They all bear good testi-
mony to the seneralship and dash Of the