New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-24
TIE SOUTH AFRICAN CONFLICT.
A BAsUTO CHIEF IN OPEN REvOLT-CoLONEL PEAR
son STILL IN PERIL.


CAPE rowN, Wednesday March 5. 1879.
The BasutO Chief MOirosa is now in open
rebellion. Colonel sOuthey, commanding the British
forces in his country will begin offensive operations
against him as soon as reint0rcements arrive. The
Basutos generally di4aected, owing 20 the intention
OF the British dsarm them, but they do not openly
support Moirosa There has been further fighting in
Natal 1t has Of about 10000 square miles aud
Is very mountainous The population is about 10000
Their country proclaimed British territory in 1868
and was formally annexed TO Cape Colony III ls7ll
CHELMSFORD PROBABLY SUPERSEDED.
LONDON Saturday, March 90, 1870.
The central NerS Is informed that Lieutenant General
SIR John Bssctt, who Is in South Africa, will
coed Lord Chelmsford rs COMMANDMENTS Chief of the
British forces at the Cape OF Good Hop. The GiObe
conservative organ doubts the truth Of this announce
ment
COLONEL PEARSON STILL IN PERIL
Reuters advice from Cape Town to the 9Th inst. men
ton report that Colonel Pearson had made raid and
burnt Ccewayos old Kraal. Other advcos Of the same
date however, do not give the impression that he is IN
position undertake offensive operation, and state
that the Zuus have destroyed the road from Iugea To
EEOwe aud seem determined TO do their utmost To pre-
vent relief from reaching HIM All idea of attempting
TO send HIM relief before NE arrival OF iurthcr rem
torcements seems TO be abandoned.
Lieutcnants Chard and Gonville BrOmhcad. who de-
Tended post at Rorkes Drift successfully against
the zulus January 20, have been gazctted breyet
majors
Some light is thrown on the perilOus posi-
ton of Colonel Pearson by the correspondent of The
Dc'iy NerS, who. writing from Cape Town, February
- seventeen days prior TO the date Of the above adj
vices said The past week. in common with the whole
period which has elapsed the disaster at Isandua
has been characterized virtually by complete inactOn
on both sides. On part we have found it impossible
TO resume the offensive until considerable reinforce
mcnts have arrived. The interest principally attaches
to Colonel Pearson, who remains cOoped up at Ekowe
with force Of nearly $50 men, OF whom 1900 are
cOmbatants. His position Is quito imprcgnable. The
fort j. pIOvsloned only for short period which Will
make relief matter OF present necessity The manner
which object il TO be- accomplished, whether by
forcing thrOugh convoy OF bringing away portion or
the garrison has yet to he determined Upon Probably
the latter means VIII he adopted Lord Chelmsford ~ ut
Fort rencdns, an intrcnchcd post the Zulu side or
the Tu.ela, FIVE miles above ITS month making the
necessary arrangements Tor relieving EkOwc. Colonel
Glyns column Is utTcnchcd, and three divisions are
posted along The road connecting Martzburg with
Rorkc's Drft. The total strength Of the column does
not exceed 1000 men, and nearly all Europeans In
consequence OF pryaton and exposure the health OF
this column is but indifferent. Al Krantzkop, midway
between Fort Tenedos and Rorkes Drift part Of the re-
naming Dat. Ons OF the native contingent numbering
800 Europeans, in occupation OF deensiblc post
The intervening distance either way is patroled by vol
uutCers, police and natives