Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-18
Copyright, 1896, Associated Press.)

tCOpyrlSht, 1885, Associated GreSS)
Cape Town, April 1.-THE difficulty
in obtaining news OF the Matabele up
rising increases day by day, owing TO
the restrictions of the authorities, but
it is positively known that the situa-
tion about Buluwayo has grown dark
er and that the rebellion is SO wide
spread that q large force of troops will
be necessary to restore order. Urgent
requests for troops have been made by
people not directly interested in the
British Chartered South Africa Com
p2ny, and the home government is
blamed fer postponing the despatch OF
strong reinforcaments to South Africa.
The policy of President Kruger Is
one of delay; Ito avoid doing or saying
anything definite until the Transvaal
is in a position 10 defy Great Britain
and the independence of the South
African republic will be declared; the
Orange Free State may be actually in
corporated into the republic; the ma
tives everywhere will be incited to rise
against British rule and an attempt
will be made TO drive the British out of
South Africa.
1t is stated that fully $4,000 Mata-
beles have been massed for the attack
ON Buluwayo which, although placed
in fair state OF defence, could not hold
out against the headlong, rushing
charge OF the native regiments, which,
if they only number half OF 15,OO0,
might sweep over the town even II
thousands were slain in the onslaught.
London. April 1.-THE Exchange
Telegraph Company says 1t is rumored
that Buluwayo has been captured by
the Mai.abeles. The news Is not con-
firmed from other sources.
A despatch from Aldersihot says that
the Middlesex regiment has been or
dered to start Immediately for South
Africa.
Considerable anxiety is felt regard
ing the South African situation, and
the government is openly blamed fer
its inactiOn.
London, April 17-In the House OF
Commons this afternoon, Mr.. Chamber
lain replying to question on the SUD-
ject, said that the government mad de-
cided to replace the troops Withdrawn
from Natal and Cape Town. There
fore a battalion OF the line and body
Of mounted infantry would be despach-
ed to these places as soon as possible.
This government, he added, was con-
nected with the decision OF the gov
ernment to permanently increase the
strength of the garrison Of Cape Col
ony.
London, April 17-Sir Hercules Rob-
inson, governor of Cape Colony, tele-
graphs to the government that there is
no sign that Buludayo in endangered,
and that precautions are being taken to
keep the road to BuluWayo open in or
der to supply it with food.
Buluwayo, April IA feeling of ap-
prehension as TO what the next step of
the Matabeles will be permeates all cir
ces here. Information coming from
the country around makes it certain
that the natives are preparing an Of
fensive movement against this place.
The number ofMa.abeles reported gath
ering at points near by is sufficient to
appal the hearts Of even experienced
fighters. There is dread in the rlinds
of many that the place is in danger Of
being overwhelmed by rush of hordes
OF Malabeles, and tlhe inhabitants pun to
a wholesale massacre.
The fear of treachery is added to the
apprehension of overwhelming num-
beTs. Many indications point to con-
nivance with the war parties of the
supposed friendly natives There are
~f 10 1,.st. i,o ~
and no white man feels sure how far
he can trust his dusky associates or
servants.
On Wednesday evening three Dutch
scouts were sent out from here to Sc
cure some definite and accurate infor-
nation of the positive movements of
the natives. What they found has
served little to relieve the anxiety and
suspense. They report that the Mata-
beles are gathering like ants in a hill
on the UmguZa river, only six miles
north of here.
That some treacherous plot is being
copcocted is indicated by the fact that
native women are secreting European
clothes. The native men on the Velde
wear the native costume while most of
those in Buluwayo wear clothes ap-
preaching the European fashion. BY
attiring the native warriors in Euro
pean garments, the Matabeles hope
that they will be enabled to enter the
town unqueStioned.
A Matabele boy has also been caught
stealing the badges and the puggarie
belonging to the Rhodesia horse and it
is believed that it WIS intended 10 use
these for purposes of disguise to fur
'ther scme 'treaoIherous project fer TAX
ing Buluwayo at a disadvantage and
killing the inhabitants.
1t is plainly noticeable that Gihe na-
tives in the town are becoming as thick
as bees. In ordinary times. the natives
come and go in the town Without at
tracing attention. The native popuea-
tiCn is at all times a shifting one and a.
large number of the men that make Ct
up are known individually to the white
people of the town or TO the author
ities. The fact MAT The natives in the
town live apart from the whites add to
the difficulty OF identifying those who
belong in The town.
But there is little more confidence
felt in the natives who belong in the
town than in the hostile men. who, il
is believed, are being surreptitiously
introduced TO aid from within when an
attack shall be made from without.
1t looks now as thought that might &C.
cur at any time.
The roads by which communication
is had with the south, both the one 10
Tlli and THE one to Mafeking. are felt
to be in peril. There are undoubtedly
large numbers OF hostile natives be-
tween Buluwayo and the settlements