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 200 THE BRITISH EMPIRE j — SOMALILAND PROTECTORATE

SOMALILAND PROTECTORATE.

The Somali Coast stretches from Lahadu, west of Zeyla, to Bandar Ziyada 49° E. long. After 1884, when Egyptian control ceased, the terri- tory was administered by the Government of India, but was taken over by the Foreign Office on October 1, 1898, and was transferred to the Colonial Office on April 1, 1905.

By an arrangement with Italy in 1894 the limits of the British Pro- tectorate were defined ; but in 1897, by an arrangement with Abyssinia, a fresh boundary as required by that country was determined, and about 15,000 square miles were ceded to Abyssinia. An agreement for the regula- tion of Anglo-Italian relations in Somaliland was concluded on March 19, 1907. The area is about 68,000 square miles ; population about 300,000 — Mohammedan, and entirely nomadic, except on the coast, where con- siderable towns have sprung up during the British occupation.

The chief town, Berbera, had, at the 1911 census, 30,000 inhabitants in the trading season ; Zeyla, 7,000 ; and Bulhar, 7,300. There are 3 Government schools : average attendance, 1919-20, 127. Police, 510 officers andmen on March 31, 1920. Convictions in 1919-20, 738. The revenue in 1919-20 was 81,870Z. (54,498Z. in 1918-19), mainly from customs duties (71,446/. in 1919-20) ; the expenditure, 322,989/. (147,328/. in 1918-19). The grant in aid for 1919-20, 199,000/. (83,000/. in 1918-19). Imports (1919-20), Zeyla, Berbera, and Bulhar, 503, 213/. (324,947/. in 1918-19), exports (1919-20), 231,011/. (221,838/. in 1918-19). Bullion and specie are excluded. The imports are chiefly rice (170,646/. in 1919-20), textiles, dates (82,703/.), sugar (28,710/.), and specie ; the exports skins and hides, gum and resins, ghee, cattle and sheep, and specie. Tonnage entered in 1919-20, 48,278; cleared, 48,913. The rupee is the basis of the cur- rency, and is of the same value as in India. Bank of England and Govern- ment of India notes are also in circulation. Transport is by camels ; there are no porters. Besides ordinary telegraphs there are wireless telegraph stations at Berbera, Burao, Bulhar, Hargeisa, and Las Dureh. A wireless station in Aden is also maintained from Protectorate funds.

The Protectorate forces now comprise a Camel Corps of 400, including 1 Indian Company, and 500 Police.

Governor and Commande/r-in-Chitf, — His Excellency Sir G. F. Archer, K.C.M.G. Appointed May, 1914.

Books of Reference.

Drake-Brockman (R. E.), British Somaliland. London, 1917.

Hamilton (A.), Somaliland. London, 1911.

Jennings (J. W.), With the Abyssinians in Somaliland. London, 1905.

MacNtill (Capt. M.), In Pursuit of the "Mad" Mullah. London, 1902.

Motse (A. H. E.) My Somali Book. London, 1913.

Pta.se (A. E.), Somaliland. 3 vols. London, 1902.

Peel(0. V. A.), Somaliland. London, 1'dOS.

Smith (A. Donaldson), Through Unknown African Countries. London, 1897.

Swayne (H.G. O-KBevehteenTripsfchrough'SomalilaM, 2 Kd. London, 1900.

Vannutelli (L.), and C{<erni'(C), ScoondaSpedizioneBottego. Milan. 1991

Correspondence relating to Affairs in Somaliland [Cd. 7,066|. Loudon, 1*13.