The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-16
sECOCOENI AND CETEW4ro.

During the past month the name OF Cete-
wayo, or Kats 'hwayo. no 70 that time unnoticed
and almost unheard Of in this country, has be-
come nearly as familiar "a that OF Sitting Bull.
Once or twice. however. another South African
name has crossed the ocean cable with a vague
hint Of importance attached to it. whose rela-
lions to the Zulu campaign are much less well
defined This second name is Secocoeni; it
may yet be not less prominent in public atten-
ton than that Of the hero Of Isandula.
Secocoeni IS an independent Zulu chief and
head OF the Matabcle tribe. whose kraal is in tho
mountains. two hundred and fifty miles. rs tho
crow flies. due north Of the famous battlefield
near Rourkes Drift. whore Col Durniords
troops were lntey annihiIated Tho rugged
and hilly country which he rules lies mainly
between Oiipaant aud Sicclpath Rivers. on the
latter OF which are Fort Burgers and Fort
Wccber, while a short distance 10 the east, near
Lydenburg. is Krugcr's post.
For many years S"-o'oeni has been Mt on
NIFTY with the Transylnl republic. whose DO
mains border on his own. Ia 1870 the Dutch
Beers Of tho Transvaal had gained sufficient
Roadway against him TO be willing to make
peace. which was agreed 10 upon the January
following. But when Great Britain annexed
tho Transvaal. it WAS discovered that this peace
had been humiliating TO the republic. and that
war would break out again.
However. Il year passed without much de-
monstrai,on on either side. During that time
Secocoen mad warned his sister Legolwana. n
nelghborinG rulor in her own right and also
Cetewayo. tho Zulu king. that the British were
bent on further conquests. and that they must
beein the attack Cetrwayo held back not de-
string to have the first wrong Of invasion on his
side; but in February. 1878 Secocoeni and
Legolwana took the offensive. attacked the
British settlements near Fort Weber. and made
fornys throughout the Luxembourg district. Capt.
Clark OF the Royal Artillery commanding in
This district. at once sounded the alarm and
called on Natal for rednforcements. These
were hurried forward. including part OF the
Niuetieth Regulars and Natal Volunteers. and
Col. Rarlunis assumed command Of the cam
pnlsn. Lesowana's kraal was attacked. and
aitrrward Sococoeui's. Both attacks were re-
pulsed. though the want of forage for horses
had something 10 do with the misfortune. Thus
passed the ycnr 1878. At tho time the war with
Catewayo broke out. the Thirteenth and
Eightieth Regiments. with some volunteers.
were still in ScrOcocnis country, expecting 10
renew operations. few days s.nce came news
that Secoeoeni was preparing to attack Lyden-
burg. and that Pretoria was also fortliying
against him. As Pretoria is nearly 200 miles
southwest OF Lydcnburg, it will be evident at
once how widespread must be the alarm pre-
vailing far north of the scene OF Cetewayos
operations
In one respect. however. the English may
profit b. these demonstrations OF Secocoeni.
The BOcrs. who have lately been uneasy under
English annexation, may now be moro content
with il. 30 long rs it furnishes a much-needed
military ally against pressing dangers. In adj
ditIon, the British will be able with more grace