Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-04-23
in A TIGHT PLACE.
nuLuwAro NEARLY SURROUNDED
by sAvAGEs.
unie.. Reinsoreea II Is only n aues-
lion of rims when III. GARRISON
win be Obliged 20 surrender

Capetown April 2-(Copyrighted.
1896. by the Associated Press.) --Unless
all news which reaches here from Bulu-
wnyo is misleading an important en-
defending that town and the Matabeles
besieging It win shortly occur or II
may have already occurred.
II Ia now known that the force OF
hostile natives assembled about Bulu-
wayo after the outbreak OF the rebel
Hon was much greater than was at
nrst supposed. The highest estimate
placed the number OF the besieging
force at 10000. although large NUM-
Der OF natives. eRid TO number about
5000 warriors. Is known 10 have struck
camp and started southwark In the di-
rection which the relief forces from
Mafeking must follow. II Is estimated
that fully 5000 hostiles are sim in the
vicinity of the beleaguered town. The
natives, when they first took up posi-
tons about Buluwayo, formed half
circle northwArd, but gradually this
formation has been contracted and the
Matabele army Ia now about three
miles or within easy striking distance.
on a dark night especially, OF the 5000
white people In tho town. OF whom only
600 can be classified as Fighting men.
The southern portion OF the half circle
Is In mountainous country and the
main pass n held by about 300 whites.
II Is through this pass that the relief
force and supply trains must come.
The men holding this pass have been
divided into four bodies. The first. or
advance guard. Is occupying a position
at the entrance OF the most difficult
turuinga The main body occupies the
strongest position in the pass itself,
where Maxim gun has been planted
behind well constructed stone breast
work or fort, commanding the critical
turn in the road. This force is looked
upon as being in a position to throw the
gun around and defend the pass from
the north. The third body or rear
guard. Is holding the northern end OF
the pass, which leads to the open
ground and the road TO Buluwayo.
Tho men holding the pass have proyis-
ions for about one month. but their
ammunition In limited, some OF II nj
ready having been called IN to replen-
ish the diminishing store of the town.
Both Buluwayo and Gwelo, which is
also besieRed. have been practically
rendered impreEnable for an outward
| open attack. But in both cases, espec-
| Tally in the case Buluwayo, large
| number OF Ho-onlled friendly natives
nave floclxed into the place under the
! plea OF seeking tho protection OF the
| whites from the hostiles. These per
Sons could not well be turned adrift or
| refused the shelter requested. Con-
sequently they were admitted within
I
| natives who regularly inhabit the
| town The number OF the "friendlies"
has Increased alarmingly. and 1t rs be-
! lleved that fully 1000 natives are now
being fed from the common stores OF
| puluwayo. Thus, while II may be true
\ that Buluwnyo, thanks to It's dynamite
| mines, barbed wire offences strong
lager around the market place and
| half dozen or so OF rapid-firing guns,
| IL safe from any attempt TO carry the
| place by storm. It Is not safe from be-
| Ing reduced by starvation and II might
be captured II the "frlendlies" were
suddenly 90 rise some night and create
| q diversion within the lines, which
would enable the native Impis to make
a dash for the langer. This is the
| greatest danger now threatening the
town of Buluwayo and signs OF prep
| aratlons for such an outbreak on the
part OF the "friendlies' have long been
noticed and guarded against.