, 1896-04-23
|BULUVAY0'S DANGER.
It is Threatened From Without
and Within.
FIGHTING MEN SCARED.
Thousands Of So.Called s~sFrienAlaes"
Have Fl0cked TO she cities IND
are Being Fed From tho
Common Stores.

~ 49, S%As
engagement between the British forces
defending that town and the Matabeles
besieging it will shortly take place, or
it may already have occurred.
1t is known that the force of hostile
natives which assembled about Bulu-
wayo after the outbreak Of the rebel
lion was much greater than was at
first supposed. The highest estimate
placed the number of the besieging
force at $1,000, but although a large
number of natives said to number
about 5000 warriors, is known to have
struck camp and started southwark in
the direction which the relief forces
from Mafeking must follow, 1t Is esti-
mated that fully $4,000 hostiles are
still in the vicinity of the beleagured
town. The natives when they first took
up the position about Buluwayo. form
ed a half circle %northward. but gradu-
ally this formation has been concen-
trated. and the Matabele army is now
only three miles, or within easy strik>
ing distance on a dark night especially.
of the 5000 white people in the town.
of whom only about 600 can be classed
as fighting men.
The southern portion of the half cir
Gle is mountainous country. and the
main pass is held by about 300 whites.
1t is through this pass that the relief
force and supply trains must come.
The men holding this pass have been
divided into Jour bodies. The first, or
advance guard. is occupying a position
at the entrance of the most difficult
turnings. The main body occupies the
strongest position in the pass itself,
where a Maxim gun has been planted
behind q well-constructed stone
breastwork or fort, commanding the
critical turn in the road. This force is
also looked upon as being in a position
to slew the gun around and defend the
pass from an attack from the north.
The third body. or rear guard. Is hold
ing the northern end of the pass which
leads to the opening around and the
road to Buluwayo. The men holding
the pass have provisions for about a
month, but their supply of ammunition
is limited. some of it already having
been called in to replenish the dimin>
ishing stores of the town.
Both Buluwayo and Gwello, which Is
b~esieged, have been practically
rendered inpregnable from an outward,
open attack. But, in both cases, es>
pecially in the case of Buluwayo. a
large number of so-called friendly ma
tives have flocked into the place under
the plea Of seeking protection Of the
whites from the hostiles. These per-
sons could not we'll be turned adrift, or
shelter. Consequently they
were admitted within the lines, and al
lowed to mix with the natives who reg
ularly habitate the town. The number
Of these "friendlies'' has increased
and 1t is believed that fully
{, 1000 natives are now being fed from
the common stores of Buluwayo.
Thus while 1t may be true that Bulu.
wayo, thanks to its dynamite mines.
barbed wire ~defenses. strong lager
ground, the market place and half a
dozen or so of rapid firing guns. is safe
from an attempt to carry the place by
storm, 1t ia not safe from being reduced
by starvation, and it might even be
captured II the "friendlies' were sud-
denly to rise in the night and create a
diversion within the lines. which
enable the native impis to make
! dash for the lager.
This 10 the greatest danger now
the town Of Buluwayo and,
Is already cabled, signs Of preparation
for such an outbreak upon the part of
the "friedlies" have long been noticed
Ind guarded against.
One Maxim gun has been placed 30
Il to command the native portion Of |
he town or colony. and CENTRES keep
watch over the Matabeles night and
Then again. the Matabeles seem to
have suddenly learned the art Of ap-
. town with defsases for.
with each move forward. with each
Of the half circle around
they have thrown up earth
works. Indeed the skin they are mani
Ia these operations II pointed
put q another proof that they are be-
lnS directed by Boer strategistA
The frst Of the relief corps from
nafskiAs u still believed 70 b about
~ miles distant from Buiuwayo. and
this bong ot nen 10 really little more
fkan ths advance guard Of the 500 or
~ - witch the Chartered COM
uAnyes o0ctAli hope to throw into the
$1,000 camp within . short time, but
y - beaisssd that serious fighting must
G6eM bslose Hnluvayo = relieved.
- - hrtghf spot IN tie this dark
ln1asak = ~ fAe that in the engage
$500 avs httAsrto taken place
eS16NA1eo - - aativss. IL
uaHA tnvassably bssa
~ rlANssss - h ~