Britain and Boer in Somaliland.

Manawatu Herald, 30 May 1903, Page 3

Britain and Boer in Somaliland.

' ■ Yesterday’* cablegram* conveyed |bs information that the contingent of Bom which hod volunteered for sarrifleagainlt the MullahinSomaliload ffod wit despatched to the front, war how returning home. The lOteet' edition of the Natal Mercury contains a letter from Lieut. 0. L. Oreaje, an officer with the Contingent, describing their first experience* as fellow soldiers with Tommy Atkins, and giving some interesting notes on the character of the country where Britain and Boes are fighting their joint campaign. The contingent left Durban on 10th January, and the letter was despatched from Qbhia shortly after their arrival in {Somaliland. The writer lays em•heefi on the “spirit of contentment and unanimity" which existed aboard the troopship. “No discord," he eaw, “ was discernible between Tommy and his new oomrade-in-nothing to mar the absolute harmony which prevailed aboard.” •Tju my opinion," he adds, no better iflinulant for the promotion of good feeding between Britain and Boer gbhld have been given the latter than the one they now possess—-that of hourly associating with their late Opponent* in the peril* and hardships Of an arduous campaign." The disembarking of the expedition at Jlbia, a barren and desolate point Sim Somali coast, was a curious Smccs*. The steamer could not apifOCoh within half a mile of the Sate, and the men and all the pfttcga badto be ferried aiboN ia

small boats—a ticklish operation in the rough sea that was running. The horses were lowered overboard like cargo, and gently dropped into the water, whence they swam ashore behind the boats, ropes being fastened round their necks and tied to the boats in order to keep their beads above water. The camp was separated from the shore by half a mile of sandy country, over which no wagon could be used, and the whole equipment of the expedition had to be conveyed thither by hand and mule “ The country,” says Lieut. Cronje, “is all sand, sand, sand. , No matter what precautions are taken sand fills our clothing, food—everything. It cannot be avoided." The newcomers soon becrme inured to the heat, tropical though it was, but from the discomfort and the strain of travelling over the sandy wastes there was no escape. The country is almost destitute of vegetation, yet strange to say, there is an abundance of live stock in excellent condition. Lieutenant Oronje'a first foraging expedition, undertaken with a party of 30 men, was rewarded with thh novel capture of 410 camels. Of the equipment, organisation, and personnel of the Boer Contingent he spoke in the highest terms, and confidently predicted that they would uphold the reputation they earned as fighters in the late Boer War. The prediction, it is gratifying to add, has since been fulfilled in the course of the campaign.