28 NOVEMBER 1903, Page 3

General Manning has commenced operations in Somaliland by a forced

march from Bohotle to Galadi, where he relieved the garrison and left a larger one. He returned, however, with his forces to Bohotle, where, it is said, he will wait till the end of December, partly to allow the Abyssinians to complete their preparations, partly to perfect the arrange- ments for supplying the troops on their march. The idea is to hunt the Mullah during the dry weather, when he must in his flight seek districts well supplied with water, and thus crush him between English, Italian, and Abyssinian forces. This idea necessitates, however, the carriage of large quantities of water with the European troops, and water is the most vexatious as well as cumbersome of burdens.