374 THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA 
food are practically impossible when travelling with camels. In compar- 
ing porters and camels it must be borne in mind that the Somali caravans 
go from Berbera to Imé, four hundred miles, in sixteen days, which is 
faster travelling than could be accomplished by Swahili porters for the 
same length of road. 
Of all the Somali coast-ports by far the most promising is Berbera. 
Without counting the great capacity of Somialiland itself as a consumer 
of our fabrics, which I shall touch upon later, Berbera has many advan- 
tages which will, I feel sure, cause it to become very valuable as entrepét 
and distributer to countries and tribes outside the existing sphere of 
British influence. If the resources of Central Africa are destined ever to 
be fully developed, I believe Berbera will be one of the chief outlets for 
Central African exports. 
The position of Berbera is unique. The meat supplies for Aden come 
almost entirely from there, and freight is always obtainable. Already 
two, and sometimes three, coasting steamers call weckly at Berbera, to 
say nothing of the freights carried by dhows. Berbera is close to one of 
the greatest lines of shipping in the world, and when trade develops into 
direct communication, the proximity of Europe and India cannot fail to 
attract capital. Another advantage which Berbera has over the ports of 
the East African coast is that the long sea-voyage, with its dangerous 
Cape Guardafui and its uncertain currents, is avoided ; and although the 
land distance to Uganda and the Equatorial Province is greater than from 
Mombasa, Somaliland has, in Aden, a base secure from all attack, and is 
a week closer than Mombasa to both England and India. I have already 
shown the advantage of camel transport in the Hinterland of the Somali 
coast. The route to Central Africa, at any rate as far as Imé, four hundred 
miles inland, is excellent, presenting no difficulties to caravans, either 
owing to physical causes or the temper of the natives; and the whole of 
the country through which it passes is exceptionally healthy. 
The Gallas beyond Imé are camel-owners like the Somalis, and live 
much in the same way. The route is so good, for the first four hundred 
miles at least from the coast, that, should the trade of Central Africa ever 
in the far distant future be sufficient to justify it, the construction of a 
railway following it would be perfectly easy. 
The following statistics I find published in a Calcutta paper, having 
been taken from Lieutenant-Colonel Stace’s Official Report on Somali 
Coast Commerce, 1891-92: ‘‘The total value of the trade of Zeila last 
year was over a quarter of a million sterling, exports figuring for £151,721 
of thissum. The exports consist almost exclusively of coffee from Harar 
(valued last year at over £100,000), skins, and hides ; while their imports 
are piece goods (£12,508), rice (£31,827), American shirtings (£17,941), 
Indian shirtings (£10,057), and jowdri (£10,000). The total value of the 
trade of Berbera and Bulhar last year was £280,664, of which imports are 
responsible for £161,112. Berbera is supposed to contain about 30,000 
people during the principal trading season, Bulhar perhaps 5000, and 
Zeila 6000.” 
There are many minor imports which do not compare in importance 
with those named. Among the possible imports in the distant future 
may figure common brown blankets. They are most popular as presents, 
and might eventually, I should think, develop into an article of trade. 
Other chief exports at present, besides those already named, are— 
