Somaliland.

Manawatu Herald, 23 June 1903, Page 2

Somaliland.

No news, has been received of Brigadier-General Manning, who is in charge of the British forces in Somaliland, during the past fortnight or three weeks. Anxiety is increasing. FIGHTING IN NIGERIA.. A British force numbering 200 has been checked after a sharp fight, on the eastern border of Soko'o, the town in Nigeria which was captured some weeks ago fey the British forces under Colonel Morland. Four men were killed. Reinforcements have been sent. THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MULLAH. Mr -Brodriek, Secretary for War, states that Colonel Cobbe, who was reported by natives to, be surrounded at Galadi, has probably quitted that place and joined General Manning at Galkayu. The combined force is thought to be marching northward to Damot. STATEMENT OP NATIVE DESERTERS. No news has been received from Brigadier-General Manning since the 18th inst., but native deserters declare that no attack has been made. Reports state that the Mullah is sixty miles east-north-east of Damot. A reconnaissance shows that live stock passed on the Damot road thirty-seven miles from Bohotle under cover of the bulk of the mounteds, the remainder being within supporting distance. A battalion of infantry could be usefully employed. The Daily Telegraph correspondent at Bohotle telegraphed on the 15 th that the garrison was too weak to pursue the Mullah. Reinforcements were urgently needed. The sick, he said, were accumulating. Most of the Dolobanta tribesmen in the Somali mounted force have joined the Mullah. A runner from Major Hoskyn’s force reported on the 13th that Damot was safe. It is believed that two British officers wounded in a fight at Gumburru, with a third, probably a Boer, are prisoners in the Mullah’s camp. The Boer contingent which participated in the Somali campaign has sailed on its return home.