The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-03

DETAILS OF RECENT BRUSHES WITH
REBELLIOUs MATABELEs.
Leader of the Revolt Against the Brit
ish Proclaimed Lobengula's Sue
cessor-Bourgeois Upheld.

CAPE TOWN, April News from Mata-
beleland is not flowing in to any great ex-
tent. but there are indications now that the
rebellion may be checked before IL has time
to spread dangerously far. Dispatches re-
ceived here from England say that prepare
tons are being made to send reinforcements
OF five thousand regular troops here at short
notice, should such step be necessary, and
II is said that five thousand additional troops
can be hurried here from India in very short
time. These announcements have had
calming effect on the public mind. and there
is not so much loud talking on the part of
the burghers and theft advisers.
A delayed dispatch from Buluwayo. dated
Tuesday, says that Captain McFarlane, in
command of mounted patrol. has had a
sharp skirmsh with band of rebellious
Matabeles at Queens reef, Dembesi. The ma
tives are reported TO have attacked the troops
In fine style with asegais. and. after hand
to-hand encounter. they were beaten off.
leaving thirty killed. Captain McFarlanes
party lost one horse and several white troop
ers killed. but the number of the latter is
still in doubt. The PATROL however, mace
gallant stand against overwhelming odds and
lad the best of the skirmish Three Indunas
who have arrived at Buuwayo from the
scene of the fight with the natives, report
that the young Matabeles fought with the
troopers against the advice OF the chiefs,
and that the younger warriors could not be
controlled.
Another fight has taken place near Inyati.
A number or white settlers who were seek
ing refuge In the town were surrounded by
hostile natives. The whites made deter
mined resistance, but all of them were killed
except one man, who brought the news to-.
Buluwayo. The natives also captured thirty
rifles and about three thousand rounds of
ammunition. Selous, the hunter and ex-
r,1o of hn hoo Of hfrfxv cd
teers, when these advices left Buluwayo. had
gone TO Mangwe to escort the mail coach
from that place to Buluwayo.
Dawson'S patrol reports that the Mata-
beles are massing at Umzengwana, Shangani,
Chama. Matoppo and hyatt. Captain Daw-
thrown off their guard by the apparent calm
and seeming inacton of the natives. He
points to the fact that only pure-blooded Ma
tabeles are allowed to join the forces being
massed for attack. and adds that this shows
the enemy must be numerous and confident.
The pure blooded Matabeles fight desperately
and with great skill. Consequently. Captain
Dawson insists that they will not be driven
out or the hills except by large and we'll
organized force.
in the week, owing to the report brought to
that town by some scouts that two thousand
Matabeles were within twelve miles of Bulu-
place. But it now appears that they went,
instead. towards the Matoppo hills. The big
''laager'' at Buluwayo has been considerably
Instructions Of every kind, and the town is
now believed to be impregnable.
The chief Ulimo or God" who first IN
cited the revolt of the Matabees, has pro-
claimed himself King of Matabeleland, in
succession TO the late King Lobengula. The
son of the last-named monarch, who is
derstcod to be on his way to the Matoppo
hills in order to head the natives, has not
yet reached there. and when he does there
Is likely to be trouble between his warriors
and those of the newly-proclaimed king.
Mr. Cecil Rhodes had not reached Bulu-
wayo when the foregoing dispatches were
sent but he was expected hourly. and was
understood TO be bringing with him a large
force of volunteers escorting a wagon train
loaded with arms. ammunition and supplies.
Nobody here puts any faith in the report
that the Beers have offered to assist the
British in quelling the rebellion in Matabele-
land. When the rumor is mentioned, people
shrug their shoulders and say that If such
an offer was made il was certainly done in
spirit of sarcasm. The Beers have important
matters of their own to attend TO just now,
and are very unlikely to take any step which
may strengthen the hands of the British a6-
illustrators. Besides. 1t is believed that Mr..
Rhodes is about the last man in South Africa
the Beers would help out of hole