§ Mr. BAIRDasked whether the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies could give the House any information as to the action of the Somali Mullah since the evacuation of the interior of Somaliland had been begun; and whether he could say that the measures taken to enable the friendly tribes to protect themselves had been effective?
§ Colonel SEELYIn a telegram, dated 18th March, and received in the Colonial Office on the 20th of that month, Sir W. Manning stated that he had received information that the Mijjertein Isa and Mahmoud on 7th March raided the Mullah's live stock, capturing 1,000 camels near Halin, killing many Dervishes, and capturing twenty-three rifles, and that it was reported by the Yahelli combination that they on 7th March surprised fifty Dervishes and killed forty-eight. In a further telegram dated 29th March, Sir W. Manning stated that he had on that day received information of an attack by the Dervishes on a party of the Yahelli combination of Hadega, that the friendlies were surprised by a large force, and that there were many killed on both sides. He stated further that the friendlies had retired to Eil Dab, and that among the killed were Nur Dolbas and Adan Egal. No official information has been received as to the actual number of friendlies killed, or quantity of stock looted. We shall, no doubt, receive further details in due course, but this is all the information we have at present.
§ Mr. BAIRDIn view of the very disquieting statements in the Press yesterday and to-day will not the Government telegraph to Somaliland and find out whether there has been a very serious loss of life among the friendlies, and whether they have lost a great deal of stock?
§ Colonel SEELYI am glad to say we have means of communication with Somali-land owing to the fact that we have wireless communication by means of His Majesty's ships from Aden and Berbera. We expect information at any moment, but I have nothing to add at present.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHas the Under-Secretary's attention been called to the revelation that all the rifles in the possession of the Dervishes were made in Birmingham?
§ Mr. REESHave the Government any further information regarding the earlier engagement between the Mullah's men and the friendly tribes, in which the latter were said to have been victorious?
§ Colonel SEELYNo. We have only heard that they surprised fifty of these unfortunate gentlemen and killed forty-eight.
§ Mr. BAIRDWill the information with regard to this question be furnished to the House as quickly as it can be obtained? The matter is more serious than seems to be realised.
§ Colonel SEELYI think the House will bear me out that on every occasion I have endeavoured to give the fullest information. The same applies here. We will communicate the fullest information whenever we receive it.
Mr. BALFOURAnd I understand the Government will make every effort to get the information as soon as possible?
§ Colonel SEELYYes. A further telegram was drafted by me only one and a half hours ago.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDIs it not a fact that the whole of the trouble in Somaliland with the Mullah is due to the action of the late Government? It is quite true. I know all about it.