SOMALILAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 7

SOMALILAND.

THE CAMEL CORPS DISASTER. REFERENCES IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. " Times " —Sydney " Sun " Special Cables. '■} (Received February 25, 6 p.m.) LONDON, February 25. In the discussion on. tho supplementary estimates Sir Gilbert Parker charged the Government with vacillation in Somaliland and described Mr Haroourt's minute regarding, Mr Corfield's death as callous and ungenerous. Mr Harcourt stated that on the morning'when the earner corps started a, reconnaissance Mr - Corfield was warned by Mr Archer in the presence cf Captain Somers, not to engage the dervishes. He gave an undertaking to that effect but disobeyed his orders. Mr Harcourt said thai he had hitherto endeavoured to hide this in Mr Corfield's interest. The camel corps cost £58,000 annually. It was dreary work awaiting dead men's shoes, but the Mullah was old and in an advanced stage of dropsy. . Physically he was unable to move and he was incapable of leading the dervishes. There was no possible successor and when > he died Somaliland would bo a comparatively peaceful country. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Recei%-ed February 26, 12:10 a.m.) LONDON, February 25.

The House of Commons discussed the Somaliland expedition and Mr Harcourt's action in blaming Mr Corfield was criticised.

Mr Harcourt replying in justification said that it was not proposed to extend territory in. Somaliland or send an expedition against the Mullah, but the camel corps would be increased to five hundred.