The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-04-30

IzOH
chartered South African company here
are persistently representing that the
s;,uation in Buuwayo is not as serious as
rspresented in non-oficial dispatches,
and that the town is not in any real
danger.
The chartered company today an
nounced that the officials in Buluwayo
are confident that they can hold the
town and that the town of Salisbury il
also safe, and is organizing in defensive
torces. The tone of non official dis
catches from South Africa reflects a
contrary tone, and continues to repre-
rent the situation at BuluwaYo as alarm
ing and the condition of affairs through
out Matabeland as growing more and
more threatening. Elaborate precau-
lions for defense, indicating a monetary
fear of overwhelming attack, are re-
reported from Buluwayo and grave APP
nrehepsions exist there that communi-
cations with the settlements to the south
will be cut off. The supply of provi-
sions is diminishing in Buluwayo, in a
constantly increasing ratio, owing to
large number of refugees and, what is
mnch more serious, doubtful natives
that are coming in.
The dread is abroad among the white
inhabitants that these natives are hostile
Matabeles, coming in under the guise of
friendlness, but meditating treacher-
ous outbreak in cooperation with an
attack from without.
The diminishing supplies make the
keeping open of communication to the
south doubly important. as it is from
there that supplies for Buluwayo must
be looked for Fears are entertained
for the safety of The supplies now on the
way, and even should these get through
to Buluwayo they are only sufficient to
temporarily relieve the necessity of
keeping these roads open to the passage
of friends of the people of Buluwayo.
Buluwayo, April I9.-Sunday-So far
as the situation is improved here over
that of yesterday, it is due to the de-
parture of the enemy which has been
massed at the north of the town for
several days and from which an attack
has been almost hourly expected.
This movement, however, brings lit
tie comfort to those in Buluwayo. The
excited manner in which the natives
quilted their positions indicated conf
Dent purpose of mischief. There is no
evidence that they were alarmed Friday
at the demonstration of the patrol OF
AZ men from Buluwayo against their
vanguard. Although this vanguard was
driven back upon the main body, the
patrol did not dare to place itself within
reach of the overwhelming members OF
the main body.
The direction taken by this great body
OF hostile natives after quitting the
position to the north has not been
learned but it is feared the purpose OF
the movement is to try and effect a
junction with the rebels in the Matoppo
hills and thus sever connection to the
southwark. The road runs through
the Matoppo hills to the south OF Bulu-
wayo, and is a difficult and dangerous
one for fifty miles from here, at which
distance the road reached the Mangwe
pass. This angular and precipitous de-
file 1t is felt must be held. 1t is of such
character that 1t can be made impreg'
nable against the attacks OF native war
riors. But for the same reason, il
allowed to get into the hands of the
natives, it would be extremely difficult
to dislodge them with any force at pres
ent available To leave this pass to the
enemy would effectually cut off the
Intercourse of Buluwayo with the out
side world. To hold the pass and to
patrol the road between 1t and Bulu
wayo, measures which are felt to be
imperatively necessary for the safety Of
this place, requires large proportion o.
the available force, less than Thousand
men in Buluwayo
The threatened movement of the en-
envy upon the line of communication
perplex the authorities with the problem
of low far they can further denude Bull
uwayo of its fighting force to guard the
road. The lack of certainty as to the
whereabouts and immediate destination
of the great mass of natives moving Sc
near the town causes much dread ant
anxiety.
The Daily News says that the mill
tary authorities consider that the ap
pointment OF General Darlington, Brit
ish commander at Gibraltar, who ha
been ordered to the Cape of Good Hop
TO take command of the British force
II Matabeand, is measure of precau
ton, and that it will probably be fol
lowed by the dispatch of more troops
"rhe war office is busy making al
rangements,n The Daily News continues
land placing stores in readiness TO
being transported,
"relegrams have been sent summon
ing every officer ON furlough In Grea
Britain from the cape TO return 10 dut
without delay.
"rhe militant section OF the Torie
are in active revolt against the policy /
Africa of Colonial Secretary Chambe
lain and Governor Sir Hercules Robir
Son of Cape of Colony, and they talk {
adjoining the house on the aubject."
The Chronicle (liberaD commentin
upon the situation in South Africa do,
not assume that II Is Mr. Chamberlain