Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-20
BULUNAYO DOOMED,
Although the Matabele Have Tenn
pOrarily Withdrawn
Their Purpose is Evidently to CUT
Off Communication from the
South, and Thus Stop Reinforce
ments-Mines Laid About the
Town, and Will be Fired by Elec-
tricity.


are persistently representing that the
situation at Buluwayo is not as serious
as represented in non-official diS-
patches. and that the town is not in any
real danger. The Chartered Company
to-day announced that they learn that
the officials CT Buluwayo are conhdeht
that they can hold the town, ana that
the town of Salisbury is also safe ana
is organizing its defense forces.
The tone of non-ofiicial dispatches
from South Africa reflects a contrary
tone. and continue to represent the SIT
uation at Buluwayo as alarming and the
condition of affairs throughout Mata-
belle as growing more and more threat
ening Elaborate precautions for de-
fense and a momentary fear OF
OVERWHELMING ATTACK
are reported from BuiuwayO, and grave
apprehensions exist there that commu-
nications with the settlements TO the
south will be cut off The supply or
provisions is diminishing in Buluwayo
in a constantly increasing ratio owing
TO the large number of refugees and.
what is much more serious, doubtful
natives are coming in. The dread
is abroad among all the white inhabit-
ants that these natives are hostile
Matabele coming under the disguise of
friendlies. but meditating
A TREACHEROUS OUTBREAK
in cooperation with an attack from
without.
The diminishing supplies make the
keeping open of communication TO the
south dOubiy important. as it is from
there that SUPPLIES for Buluwayo must
be looked for. Fears are entertained
for the safety OF those 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 pass
age of friends of the people in Bulu-
wayo.
THE ENEMY HANDWRITING.
Buluwayo. Matabeleland. April 10
So far as the situation is improved here
over that OF yesterday, it is due 10 the
departure of the enemy, which has
been massed 10 the north Of the town
for several days, and from which an
attack has been almost hourly ex-
pected.
The movement however, brings Id
tie comfort 10 those in Buluwayo. Tho
excited manner in which the natives
quilted their positions indicated a con-
fdent purpose of mischief. There is
no evidence shat they were alarmed
Friday at the demonstration Of the pa
troll Of forty-two men from Buuwayo
against their vanguard. Although this
vanguard was driven back upon the
main body, the patrol did not dare 20
place itself within reach Of the over
whelming numbers OF the main body.
THE DIRECTION TAKEN
by this greac b5dy of hostile natives
after quitting the position so the north
has nC. been learned. But it is feared
that the purpose Of the movement is 10
try and effect junction with the rebels
in the Matoppo hills and thus sever
communication with the southwark.
The road runs through the Mltcppo
hills to the south of Buluway0, and is
difficult and dangerous one
for fifty miles from here, at which
distance the road reaches the Mangwe
Pass. This angular and precipitous
dafile, it is felt, must be held. 1t is of
such a character that ii can well be
made impregnable against the attacks
OF native warriors. But for the same
reason, if allowed to get in the hands
of the natives. it would be extremely
difficult and perhaps impossible
TO DISLODGE THEM
with any force at present available.
To leave this pass to the enemy would
effectually cut off the intercourse of
Buluwayo with the outside world. To
hold the pass and to patrol the road be-
tween it and Buluwayo, measures
which are felt to be imperatiyely neces-
sary for the safety of this place, re-
quires a large proportion of the avail
able force. less than thousand men,
in Buluwayo.
The threatened movement oE the en-
emy upon the line of communication
perpleXes the authorities with the prob
lem of how far they can further de-
nude Buluwayo Of'its fighting force to
guard the road. The lack of certainty
as TO the whereabouts and the immedi-
ate destination of the great mass Of ma
tives moving so near the town causes
much dread and anxiety.
MINES AROUND THE TOWN.
Caps Town, April 19.-Advices receiv-
ed here from Buiuwayo are that the
numbers of the Matabele around Bulu-
wayO and threatening that place con-
tiue 10 increase; that they now form
formidable force.
As a measure Of defense against the
expected attack upon the town. mines
have been laid in the outskirts and in
the ground over which an attacking
party would necessarily approach.
These mines have been wired ard con-
nected with instruments in the Central
Lager. which will be the point of re-
treat in case Of attack. From the Cen
tral Lager, the grounds in which the
mines have been laid will be in eull
view and the mines can BE- exploded by
electricity at the moment desired. An
eXp,Osion at the moment an advanc-
ing horde Of natives was over the
mines, would do tremendous execution
among them.
ENGLAND EXCITED.
London. April 20-The Daily News
saws that military authorities think
that the Appointment of Gen. Darlington.
British commander at Gibraltar, who
has been ordered to the Cape of Good
Hope to take command of the British
forces in Matabeleland. is measure Of
precaution. and that it will probably be
followed by the dispatch Of more troops.
The war Office is exceedingly busy
making arrangements" the Daily News
continues. "and placing stores in readi-
ness for being transported.
kilograms have been sent summons
ing every officer on furlough in Great