The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-23
ANOTHER AFRICAN WAR
Herald Special Correspondence
from Natal, South Africa.
The Refractory Chief Langabalelc,
Otherwise "Sunshine.
The Folly of Giving Weap-
ons to Savages.
DNE THOUSAND ARMED WARRIORS
British Expedition of 1900 Men
and the Causes of the War.
THE FIGHTING.
Proclamation of the Gov
ernOr General.
THE FIGHTING.
PrOclamatiOn of the Gov
ernOr General.
SURROUNDING THE KAF1Rs
Murder and Robbery
Prevalent.
THE GOLD FIELDS.

THE GOLD FIELDS.
DURHAM, Natal Nov. g. 1s7a
The British troops and some OF the volunteer
corps OF the British colony Of Natal South Africa,
have Just been called out on expedition against
powerful Kafr chief whose tribe inhabits the
northwestern part OF the colony near the sources
OF the Great Bushmans River. The Chief rejoices
In the rather lengthy name Of Langabalele, which
translated into the English language. means
~'Sunshine." For the sake of brevity we will here
after call him 'Balele.
THIS CHIEF
has long been very troublesome fellow, and under
q more energetic government than ours has hereto
fore been he would have been taken to task long
ago. But 1t is only lately that he has openly de-
ned the authorities, in such q manner as TO put
mild measures Of retaliation altogether out of the
question. The matter came about in this way
When the now famous diamond nelds were nrst
discovered in the interior the Influx OF population
TO that district and the demand for labor caus ed
large numbers OF Natal Kafirs to mock in that d.
rection TO work at the mines as high wages were
onered them Also guns were SOLD freely at the
fields to both blacks and whites, and the oppor-
tunity of providing themselves with firearms was
a temptation which the Kafrs could not resist.
'Baleie sent several OF hie people to the fields to
work, and they returned armed With very good
Dreech-lOading rines. To such an extent did this
matter proceed tina: by the time the government
thought oil interfering Baleie had at his command
1000 warriors" armed with guns. There is law
OF this colony which prohibits Kafrs from possess
ing firearms without special permit rom the
authorities. 'Balele and his people broke that
law. The resident magistrate of his district. Mr..
John Macfarlane, reported this matter to the gov
eminent aud was instructed to order 'Balele TO
appear before him to answer Tor his
INFRINGEMENT OF THE LAW.
He sent the order to Balele. but that Chief did
not obey it, He would not go before the magls-
trate. The order was repeated several times in a
more peremptory manner but still 1t was disre-
Garded 10y the Chief. The Secretary for Native Ar.
1airs- the Hon. T. Shepstone, c. NJ Co. who, under
the Governor is chief all the native tribes OF
the cOlony-then took the matter in hand. and
proceeded to negotiate with the refractory Chief;
but his orders were no more obeyed thap had been
those OF the magistrate At length 1t became
known that 'Balele was preparing for war, having,
according to Kaar CUSTOM sent the women, cat
tie and properly OF his tribe 70 place OF safety
and keeping with him only his lighting men,
Many OF these secured the country in armed ban d.
spreading terror among the English and Dutch
settlers, but resOrting TO any acts OF violence
further than threats.
The Governor OF the colony, Sir Benjamin G. G.
Pine announced. on the s0th OF last month, to the
Legislature, then and now in session. that he
had resolved to call out Her Majesty's troops sta
toned in the colony to assist the civil power in
Furnishing 'Balele for his contumacy. The Legisla-
ture replied that 1t would support Sir Be njamin.
His Excelency accordingly called out about 200
men of Her Majestys Seventy-ffth regiment, and
the Royal artillery with two field guns, to support
the volunteers OF the colony in an attack upon 'Ba
lele with the purpose OF bringing him and his peo-
pie to book. The military lett Maritzburg, the
capital of the colony October 80. route for the
district Inhabited by 'Balele and his people. The
VOLUNTEER CORPS
called out were the Natal GARDENERS (mounted)
the Karkloaf Carabineers, the Richmond Mounted
Rines. the Weenen Yeomanry cavalry and the
Weenen Border Guard. The aid OF friendly Kafirs
was also obtained, and Messrs. Hawkins Lucas
two magistrates in the upper districts Of the col
ony, brought force OF about 1000 Kafrs to assist
In the expedition against 'Balele. Those Kafirs
were, OF course, OF tribes not friendly with 'Ba-
leles. The whole force was placed under the COM
mand of Lieutenant Colonel Miles. OF the Seventy
NTH regiment The Governor himself resolved to
accompany the expedition, and left Maritzburg for
that purpose on the 3lst ult.
THE STRATEGY.
The Drakenberg Mountains are at the back Of
'Baiee's country, and 1t was known that case ne
was pushed he would make for them, for the pur-
pose of taking refuge in their Businesses, from
which 1t would be bard 20 dislOdge him. The first
object OF the government expedition was, there
FORE TO cut on 'Baieles retreat to the mountains,
and the latest advices to hand from the camp say
that this has been done; but they require con-
nrmation The government forces have, however,
reached tue territory OF the refractory Kafrs in
good order. and 1t is said they have already been
so disposed that the Chiefs escape Is almost an
lmpossiotity. The Chief himself is said to be
IN GREAT TERROR,
ana already repentant that he has gone 80 far In
MS opposition to the authorities. But repentance
Is too late now. The EXTREMIST measures must be
resorted to, and the coonists will insist that II
'Bale!e Is captured he ana his people must be
treated with the utmost rgor OF the law as re bels
and an example made OF them that VIII be such
lesson TO other Kahr tribes OF the COLONY az win
frghten them from initiating the action OF the re.
fractory Kanrs.
Arrangements have been made for daily post
between the scamp and the capital OF the colony
and Ishail keep this letter open until the last mo-
ment before the mail Closes SO that may be able
to give you the latest tidings from the seat OF
war;
Encouraging.