Turkish force with
field-guns and a large number of Arabs and fell back on
Lahej, where they were reinforced by the advance guard of
the Aden Movable Column consisting of 250 rifles and two
10-pounder guns.

"'Our force at Lahej was attacked by the enemy on July 4 by
a force of several thousand Turks with twenty guns and
large numbers of Arabs, and maintained its position in face
of the enemy artillery's fire until night, when part of
Lahej was in flames. During the night some hand-to-hand
fighting took place, and the enemy also commenced to
outflank us.

"'Meanwhile the remainder of the Aden Movable Column was
marching towards Lahej, but was delayed by water
difficulties and heavy going. It was therefore decided that
the small force at Lahej should fall back.

"'The retirement was carried out successfully in the early
morning of July 5, and the detachment joined the rest of
the column at Bir Nasir. Our troops, however, were
suffering considerably from the great heat and the shortage
of water, and their difficulties were increased by the
desertion of Arab transport followers. It was therefore
decided to fall back to Aden, and this was done without the
enemy attempting to follow up.

"'Our losses included three British officers wounded: names
will be communicated later. We took one Turkish officer (a
major) and thirteen men prisoners.'"

Aden seems to have made no attempt to stem the tide of Turkish influence
while she could. The best fighting tribe in the protectorate stretches
along the coast and far inland north-east of Aden, and its capital is
only a few hours' steam from that harbour. The Turks made every effort
to win over this important tribal unit, which might have been a grave
menace on their left flank. Its sultan made frequent representations to
Aden for even a gunboat to show itself off his port, but to no purpose.
After the Turks had succeeded in alienating those of his tribe they
could get at, or who could get at them, a tardy political visit was paid
by sea from Aden. The indignant old sultan came aboard and spoke his
mind. "You throw your friends on the midden," he said bitterly, and
departed to establish a _modus vivendi_ on his own account with the
Turks.

The situation at Aden has had a marked effect in bolstering up the
Turkish campaign