The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1896-05-05
FEELING OF A ANXIETY
Regarding the Fate Of the Town of
BuluwayO.
THE MATABELES CLOSING In.
Their Movements Evidently Directed by
a Skilled stratcgist-Report ofan
Engagement Ending In Their
Being Repulsed

CAPE Town, April 2S. = The dis
patches which filtered through from
Buluwayo increased the feeling of
anxiety felt here regarding the fate of
the besieged town. According to the
latest advices the circle of fierce war
riors behind the mound Notifications
had again been drawn closer to Bulu-
wayo, and at the same time extended
The Matabeles, when this news was
sent out from the endangered town, had
been further reinforced, and another
large body of men was leaving the Ma
toppo hills expecting to effect n junction
with the other bodies of hostile natives
and completely surround the place from
all sides, while keeping south of the
fortified pass, which is the key to the
situation in that direction.
In addition, another strong force of
hostiles has gone i'll the direction of the
route being followed by the relief corps
of about 600 men and niue machine
guns, advancing from Mafeking. Con-
sequently, it is believed that there is
severe work cut out for this force, the
advance guard of which, it was hoped
hOuiu DltilR WI NDOut Nlul
The tactics of the Matabeles are really
admirable. When the uprising COM
menced only q few hundred hostiles
were reported to be in the field, and it
was announced that the native police
would soon reduce them to subjection
But the police deserted with arms and
all the ammunition they could lay hands
ON, the impis gathered with wonderful
rapidity III the Matoppo hills, which are
evidently their rallying point and base
of operations, and then the Investment
of BuluwGyo commenced. Impi after
impi moved northward and circled
about Buluwayo, seemingly directed by
n skillful strategist, and took up posi-
tiOns i'll half circle about IL miles from
the town. Steadily, slowly, but surely,
the number of native regiments has
been augmented, the half circle of hos
tiles has increased until it is almost q
complete circle, and instead of being IL
miles from Buluwayo, only about three
miles now separate the natives from
their prospective prey. AT each camp
ing ground the earthworks were aban-
doned, but n fresh line of them was
promptly erected at the next positions
occupied. Thus the advance or con-
traction of the Matnbele army can now
be traced by a series of lines of rude
entrenchments and breastworks, most
effective works under the circumstances.
The band of few hundred insurgent
natives in the Matoppo hills reported in
arms only about n month ago has in
creased until fully 10000 men are oper-
ating against Buluwayo alone, and some
10000 hostiles are armed and their num-
ber is increasing daily. Every day the
circle draws closer around Buluwayo,
and every hour adds to the confidence
and number of the Matabeles, who APP
pear to have supreme contempt for the
British, q feeling that has not been less
ened by the inoffectivcness- of the three
sorties made by the little garrison of
Buluwayo.
The enemy is kept plentifully supplied
with cattle and, it is believed, with am
munition. These supplies are sent out
from the Mutoppo hills, the Matabele
headquarters, and it is said that over
$4,000 head of cattle have been gathered
in by the hostiles from different direc-
tions. The hills themselves, it is added,
are being fortified by the insurgent
forces holding them, so that should Bu-
luwayo be relieved and the British be
able to resume the offensive the natives
will have stronghold to fall back upon
and there make long stand against the
Chartered company's forces.