A curious sequel to the abortive war in Somaliland is
reported from Rome. It appears that Signor Sersale, a well- known Italian traveller and explorer, holding that the with- drawal of British troops might induce the Mullah to raid the friendly tribes in Italian territory, suggested to Signor Tittoni, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that it would he more politic to acknowledge the Mullah as the head of the territory in which he was encamped, and offered to proceed to his camp to carry out the necessary negotiations. His proposal was accepted ; and Reuter's agent has now interviewed Signor Sersale on his return. According to his account, he proceeded, together with Consul-General Pesta,lozza, to the mountain fastness where the Mullah has his headquarters, and found him in the centre of his "Sacred Guard," a band of several hundred horsemen, young men of from twenty to twenty-five years of age, and all over six feet in height. Impressed by the fearlessness of his visitors, the Mullah invited them into his hut, the negotiations were promptly carried out, and the two Italians left for Aden the next day. Signor Sersale describes the Mullah as being almost seven feet high, as strong as Hercules, and revealing in his countenance a mixture et ferocity and fanaticism.
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