Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-28
MATABELES ROUTED
Defeated With Great Loss by the
British.
MORE FIGHTING NEAR BULUWAYO
Brief Announcement Of a Big En-
gagement.
Brief Announcement of a Big En-
RELIEF FORCE THREATENED


the following dispatch from Buluwayo
dated April "a:
Big engagement this morning. Three
inlpis surrounded us. Defeated and routeI
them with great los
Advance on the Town.
CAPE TOWN, Africa, April 2s.-The dis
patches which filtered through from Bulu-
wayo yesterday increased the feeling of
anxiety felt here regarding TIE fate of the
besieged town. According to the latest ad-
Wees, the circle of warriors behind the
mound for tificationc had again been drawn
closer to BLluwayO, and at the same time
extended.
The Natal eles. when this news was sent
out from the endangered town. had been
further reinforced. and another large body
of men was leaving the Matoppo hills, ex-
p6cting to effect junction with the other
bodies of hostile natives and completely
surround the place.
IN addition a strong force of hos
ties has gone in the direction of the route
being followed by the relief corps of about
GO men and nine machine guns, adv ancing
from Mafelling.
Consequently. it is believed that there is
severe work cut out for this force. the ad-
vance guard of which, it was hoped would
reach Mangwa about May Z.
The tactics of the Matabeles are really
admirable. When the uprising commenced
orly few hundred hostiies were reported
that the native police would soon reduce
them TO subjectioI. But the police desert
eG, with al ms and all the ammunition they
could lay hands on, the impis gathered
With wonderful rapidity in the Matoppo
bills. which are evidently their rallying
IOirt and base of operations, and then the
Investment Of Buiuwayo commenced. Impi
after impi moved northward and circled
about Buluwayo. seemingly directed by q
sklllful strategist, and took up positions, in
a half circle, about twelve miles from the
town.
Steadily. slowly. but surely. the number
of native regiments has been augmented
the nalf circle of hostiles has increased un-
I'll 1t IS almost complete circle, and. in
stead of being twelve miles from Buluwayo
Cniy about three miles now separate the
natives from their prospective prey. At
each camping SIOund the earth works were
abandoned. but a fresh line of them was
promptly erected at the next positions oc-
cupied. Thus. the advance or contraction
OF the Matabele army can now be traced
Gy series of lines of rude entertainments
ana brcastWorhs, most effective works
under the circumstances.
Fully 20,OGO Working Against BuIu-
Wuyo.
The band of d few hundred insurgent
natives in the Matoppo hills reported in
arms only about a month ago has incTeas-
ed until fully 21,ovO men are operating
against Buluwayo alone, and sane 10000
Is increasing daily.
Every day tine circle draws closer around
BuIuwayO, and every hour adds 20 the con-
hdence and number of the Matabeles who
seem 10 nave supreme contempt for the
British, feeling that has not been lessened
by the iHetfectivenes of the three sorties
made by the little garrison of Buluwayo
Tie enemy is kept pient:fulIy supplied with
cattle, and IL IS believed, with ammunition
The supplies are sent out from the Matoppo
hills, the Matabele headuuarters and it is
said that over Jn.EN head of cattle have
been gathered in by the hostles from diff
ferent directions The hills themselves it
IS added, are being fortified by the insurgent
force holding them, SO that should Bulu-
"aEo be relieved, and the British be able
TO resume the offensive, the natives will
nave stronghold TO fall back upon. and
there make long stand against the
chartered Company's forces
II TINS report is correct, and there seems
no reason TO doubt 1t, the British will not
months TO come, and much blood may he
shed on both sides before order is finally
restored.
But the Matabeles may be able to hold
out or Earass the British until the great
struggle which cannot long be delayed
commences in South Africa, and nobody
can predict what the eventual outcome will
be.
Dream of the Beers.
The Beers dream of a United States Of
South Africa. and they are bold enough to
say that the realization of this dream is
among the probabilities of the near future
In any case, the work of arning and forti-
tying in the TransvaaI, and also in some
degree, IN the Orange Free State is going
steadily on, and the slow but sure policy
OF President Kruger, said to be dictat ed
from Berlin. Is being pursued relentIessly
night and day.
The Beers already have small army m
der arms, well supplied with rapid fire guns
and ammunition, in the vicinity of Lich-
tenburg. where it is reported d fortified
CO mp Is being constructed. This location is
admirably selected for a strategic move
ment calculated 20 cut off the British in
M&tabeleland, kh1maland and Bechuana-
laLd from communication with Cape Col
OF y and this, 1t is understood, would be
Gone in the event of serious complca tions
The Beers would promptly occupy Mafe-
king from the camp near Lichtenburg
which is only short distance from the
present British base of operations for the
relief of Buluwayo. OF course, the occupa-
ton, possibly by the purchase from Portu-
gal of Delagoa bay by the British, would
follow. But il Is believed that the British
advance into the Transvaal from that di-
Iection would not be the easy task it
might nave been some six months ago
tortlf1cations. it is understood, have al
ready been planned or erected, and further
steps n the same direction are in progress.
Relief of BuIuwnyo.
main point of interest, and dispatch from
Buluwayo yesterday evening said that Daw-
sons troop was starting for fort situated
SIX miles along the Tati road, with the OBJ
5ect of guarding the telegraph line and
keeplng the road clear for the relief corps
on Its way through King Khamas country.
by arrangement with the latter who is
particularly friendly to the British having
only recently returned from visit to Eng
land, where he was treated with great dis
tinction, wore high hat and Prince Albert
coat, hobnobbed with the Prince of Wales,
and actually rode to the hounds
Another dispatch from Buluwayo saws
tEat coach. laden with arms and ammuni-
ton, reached Buluwayo yesterday from the
south.
II is now announced that Sekombi, one of
i-obengula's leading chiefs, was among the
Killed during the fighting about the Um-
buza river which followed the second sortie
OF the British, when about 500 natives
We're slain.
Late last evening it was reported here
mat there had been further and severe
Hshtlng about Buluwayo, and that the Ma
tapeies We're defeated, with great loss. Up
10 the time of filing this dispatch no par
uculars had reached here and the belief