TERRIBLE A BUSH

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1914, Page 8

TERRIBLE A BUSH

WOMEN AND CHILDREN SACRI-FICED-TO WIN A BATTLE. I , BOMBAY, April 28. I have just received from Aden confirmation of a severe defeat inflicted on the raiders of the Muliar of Somaliland by the' Habr Yunis and Ogaden tribes (wiites Alan Ostler). Before leaving Aden many Somalir gave me a report of this battle, but it seemed incredible, and for that reason I did not cable it. The confirmation which I have now received places it beyond doubt. The story is one of the most remarkable in warfare. The Mullah- sent a large force, to the Hand plate in to seize the camels of the Habr Yunis. Word of this came? to the ears of the tribe, who to inflict a telling defeat on their relentless :";crn,y laid n trap which will send a shudder through English readers. They sacrifced thdr women and children to destroy--1 he. raiders. First they sent "emissaries to the Ogaden tribe to enlist their help. Then they left their women and children and cuneh? unprotected to lure into a sense of security the followers of the Mullah. They allowed the raiders to mass«tcre the women and children., and then they ambushed them ,while they were driving off the camels. Th-fi friend Li**' claim that they wined out the •Mullah's force, kilUrcr 2000 of then!. That figure is probably rer-ilcr], but it i net to be doubter 1 that has sustained a serious reverse.