33. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any Report has been received of a raid of Dervishes recently on cattle pastures occupied by men of the Musa Abokr clan of the Habr Toljala tribe, when thirteen herdsmen were surrounded at night and twelve of them murdered; if the men belong to a tribe which is nominally under British protection, if the place where the occurrence took place is within this country's sphere of influence; and whether any and, if so, what steps will be taken to punish these repeated attacks on friendly tribes?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press, but I will communicate with the Commissioner of Somaliland on the subject. The question of future steps to be taken to deal with Dervish raids is engaging my careful consideration.