The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-19
CRITICAL SITUATION
Buluwayo Is Surrounded by a Large
Force Of Hostile Matabeles.
ASSISTANCE FROM ENGLAND
War News From the Land of the
Dervlshes-Creat Rritain's New
Cuns-The Week In Lon
don and Berlin.

Copyright 1896 by Associated Press.
London, April 1s.-The latest advices
received from Buluwayo. Matabeleland,
prove beyond any doubt that the town
Is in most critical situation. II Is sur
rounded in part by large force of hos
tile Matabeles. estimated to number
from $4,000 to $4,000; the garrison is not
believed to number 1000 men all told,
and more than one-third of them are
either foraging, holding strategic posi-
tons. scouting, or trying to keep the
roads clear for the provision and am
munition trains which are on the way
to relieve Buluwayo. Besides, IL is re-
ported that large portion of the re-
mainder of the garrison left Buluwayo
yesterday to attack the Imbesu regi-
ment of Matabeles. The announcement
made in the house of commons yester-
day by Chamberlain that the govern
ment intended to Immediately increase
the strength of the garrison in South
Africa, has caused great satisfaction
here. The Middlesex regiment, the first
one ordered to sail. has peen especially
chosen, as ii fought in the Cape in 1879.
1t is more than hinted that the present
increase is only a first installment of
a large force of troops which are to be
sent to the Cape.
The defeats of the Dervishes outside
of Suakim and around Tokar has with
drawn attention to the fact that troops
from India will shortly have to be land
ed there, IL the campaign against the
Khalifa is TO be properly conducted.
and the Soudan reconquered. The
friendly tribes In the vicinity of Sua-
kim and Tokar are constantly harrass-
Ing the Dervishes and are keeping the
latter continually on the move, while
avoiding any serious engagements. The
scouts report that Osman Digna has
retreated to Adarama, and the friendly
chief, Omantitata. has reoccupied the
Agoa district. The recent defeat of the
Dervishes has had the important result
Of compelling Osman Digna to evacuate
positions around Tokar from whence
he has made many forays upon the
friendly tribes, and II has apparently
caused a diversion in the Dongola dis
trict
Some of Great Britains latest guns
will be employed for the first time dur
ing the autumn campaign in the Sou
dan. They carry highly explosive shells
10 miles, and each shell is capable of
disabling 200 of the enemy. These guns
nave such rapid firing capacity that
before the first shell bursts three others
are on their way I'm the same direc-
tion.
The alleged terms of the secret treaty
between Russia and China were re-
printed mere to-day, from German pa
per, and have created a bad impression,
though IL is evident that the state
ments made are not wholly true. Ac-
cording to the story, China permits
Russia, in war time, to use any of her
ports to mobilize for repair or coal her
warships. and to raise supplies from
China.
Other startling provisions include a
branch line of the Siberian railroad to
controlled cojointly for is
years by Russia and China. Then the
latter, IL capable, takes charge of the
and there is a virtual conces-
sion to Russia of an island opposite
falien-Wan, and several points on the
south side, as n protection to the ST.
berfan railroad; the opening of the Chi
nese markets to Russian goods, and
Russia to send several hundred officers
TO drill Chinese troops.
The Globe this afternoon says: eff
one-tenth of the foregoing is true,
here is no doubt that the far eastern
question is about to assume a far
sraver aspect than ever. Hitherto
here has been no doubt of the existence
)f a secret treaty. Until the corona
ion of the czar is over, IL is not likely
hat Russia will do anything openly
provocative; but afterwards IL is prob
ible that she will boldly show her
land, and we shall be confronted with
he most difficult problem for a long
line past"