OUTBREAK BY DERVISHES

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 25

OUTBREAK BY DERVISHES

ATTACK ON THE CAMEL CORPS

LONDON, August 12.

It is officially announced that on Saturday last over 1000 Dervishes, between Berbera and Odwein, attacked 150 camel constabulary who had been despatched to auppresa inter-tribal looting. The constabulary’s retreat was cut off, and the men formed a zareba, but the Maxim gun got jammed, and was useless. Captain Corfield, the commanding officer, was killed, and Captain G. H. Summers severely wounded, and 50 of the constabulary were either killed or wounded.

The Dervishes withdrew after heavy losses when their ammunition was exhausted.

A British relief column effected a junction with the constabulary near Burao, and the party are preparing to resist further attacks. In the House of Commons the Colonial Secretary (Mr Harcourt) stated that 300 troops and the gunboat Caracas had been sent from Aden to Berbera in connection with the reported massacre of a British camel corps.

August 15,

The Acting Commissioner reports that he arrived at Takhel from Burao with 22 wounded constabulary and his own party of 20 intact. The Indian contingent of 130 with a Maxim, have also arrived at Takhel. Further assistance will be sent from Berbera if necessary. The Acting Commissioner considers that the situation is not alarming. Takhel fort is in good repair. Before abandoning Burao the Coiruniaginer ordered traders and others to quit. Reinforcements from Aden have arrived at Berbera.

Mr Q. Archer (the Acting Commissioner of Somaliland), with 20 Indian troopers and a handful of friendly tribesmen, hastened to assist the camel corps.

They had a sharp fight after effecting a junction with the remnant, and during their retirement to Burao and thence to Sheikh, 30 miles from Bsrbera. In the House of Commons Mr llarcourt paid a tribute to the bravery of all concerned, notably Mr Archer. The newspapers quote from the Observer’s Berbera correspondent, who predicted what has actually happened. Mr Archer states that he fears that the Dervishes have driven off all the stock belonging to the friendly tribes. ,Thls threatens unprecedented destitution. Advices from Djibutil state that the Mad Mullah is commanding the Dervishes who attacked the camel corps. There is great agitation among the' tribes. August 15. Mr Harcourt announces that satisfactory accounts have been received regarding the position in Somaliland. He did not propose to publish the news because it concerned the present position of the British force. He deprecated any discussion regarding recent events.