POSITION IN SOMALILAND.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 82, 8 April 1910, Page 7

POSITION IN SOMALILAND.

DEBATE IX HOUSE OF LORDS. "BRITISH EVACUATION* THE OXLY ALTERXATIVK." By Telecr«ph.— Prcts A»*ociat!on — Copyright. I.OXDOX, 7th April. In the House of Lords. Loid Curzon initiated a debate on the pcriticm of alTuirs in Somuliland, wheic the lUitish advanced posts have been withdrawn, and the Mullah is raiding, robbing, and slaying friendly tribesmen. Lord Curzon accused the Government of destroying the work of twenty-five years. 'Jhe Government, he declared, hud blackened Britain's numa by deserting the friendlies. Lori Crewo, Secretary for the Colon- 1 iefc, replied that Britain spent £100,000 last year without protecting the tribes. Kvacualion was the only alternative to un expeditionary force for tho purpose of capturing the Mullah. Kimilar elforts in 1901 and 190* cost between two and three millions sterling. Tho Uinonist Leader, Lord Lanedowno (who wfto Secret aiy for Foreign Affairs in the Balfour Cioverumcnt), declared that Britain went to Hc.mnlilnncl because it was impossible to allow foreign Powers to annex the toast iv front ot Advil. The policy of coast concentration was rejected in 1904 because of the ill effects it would have upon Britain's position in Abyssinia and in the Soudan. StJCCESS OF SMASH IXG POLICY DOUBTFUL. COXCENTHATION~OX THE COAST. (Received April 8, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, 7th April. Thr Daily Chronicle says the success of tho polii y having for "its object tho smashing of tho Mullah would be doubtful without tho co-operation of Italy, which U nut furllK-onutig, and On't, tJ.prefore, the concent rat ion of tho Bru>bh troops on the const is essential. In February the Calcutta correspondent of The 'limes stated: — "A disquieting impression ir. growing iv consequence of tho ha&ty policy of tho withdrawal of the advunccd posts in ttomaliland. Such notion would be di&astious to the friendly tribes who iclicd upon the promises ot British piotcction All tribesmen protected are- suffering from the reprisals which the Mullah threatened lont; ago. This is a serious blow to British prestige in Soinuliland and possibly in AbyEfiiiia." Last month it was stilted that the British Commissioner in £omalilnmt, Colonel Sir \N . H. Manning, was issuing iirms nnd ammunition, so as to enable tho fiicndly natives to defend themselves.