Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-01

Arms ana A1QmQQlJlOn ana AI6
Selling Their Opportunity-Indi-
cations That Germany is Taking
Hand in the Fray-Big Events
at Hand in South Africa.
Cape Town, March 31.-There is in
tense anxiety felt here in regard to the
Matabele uprising. The authorities
here are now feeling the effects Of this
policy o weakening the defenses Of
different parts of British South Africa
in order to make the lamentable display
in the Transvaal. Had matters at 10
hannesburg turned out as the manipula-
tors of the expedition and uprising con-
templated, things would have assumed
a different aspect. But several persons
here and elsewhere are now in the posi-
ton of hunters caught in their own
traps with the additional modification OF
the knowledge that the Beers have by
the seizures made in the mines, etc, OF
MANY thousands of rifles, bayOnets, re-
volvers. and Maxim guns, completely
turned the tables on the British. Unul
arms and ammunition arrive from Eng
land. the latter are almost helpless, ana
a combined uprising on the part OF the
Beers and natives. who could be bribed
into hostility. might be very disastrous
The Beers now have weapons WIN
which to arm a powerful auxiliary force
and they are aware of The predicament
in which the British find themselves.
Offensive operations against the Malta
beles are almost at a standstill, COM
municatiOn south Of Buluwayo is prac-
tically cut off, parties Of settlers VINO
left their clearings and laagered out
ar the first sign of alarm, are still un-
relieved. and there seems TO be no pros
pects OF assistance being sent to them.
Some of these. therefore, are more than
likely to fall victims to the Matabeles.
The whole of the country outside OF a
radius of about twelve miles around Bu-
IuwayO is in a state OF open Insured
ton, and the Matabeles are other ma
tives are flocking to the Matopo mis-
where the son Of the late klng
10 Bengula is said to have
been raised to his fathers rank
with much ceremony, prepar-
atorv to taking command Of the army
Of insurgent natives fOcking to the
hills from all parts. The vicinity OF
Ruluwayo is kept clear OF rebels by the
white scouts. but it is believed that the
natives are being kept fully informed
o. all that is going on, and nobody now
doubts that the root of the trouble is
at Pretoria and that Berlin is kept well
Informed regarding the progress OF the
uprising.
Advices from the Transvaal show that
the work of preparing for war is being
continued there night and day. Gangs
of men relieve each other at intervals
in the work upon the armOred forts de-
signed to protect Pretoria, the plates
for which have been furnished by the
Creusot Works and the guns by the
great Krupp firm Of Germany.
The drilling of aTtillerymen under
German officers goes on openly every
dav. There is no longer any conceal
ment of the preparations being made.
The Foreign Legion, composed almost
of Germans who have recently entered
the Transvaal, is organized. This force
will be mostly infantry and artillery,
the Beers being relied upon TO furnish
all the cavalry necessary.
It is reported that Sir Hercules Rob-
inson. the governor Of Cape Colony,
seeing the approach of the storm IS
desirous of resigning before the storm
breaks. and there are other officials
who rumOr has il. would like to do the
same. In short, British prestige in
South Africa has been rudely shaken.
and the shaking, under encouragement
from Germany. is still going on. and
the most energetic steps are likely TO
be necessary in order to enable Great
Britain to maintain the status quo
which prevailed before the Jameson
raid. The full effects of that great mis-
take are only beginning to be felt, and
unless all indications are deceiying, the
worst is to come.
It is reported that the British Char
tered South Africa Company, seriously
alarmed at the events which are taking
nlace in South Africa. has made strong
concentrations on the subject to the
British government, showing that 1t IS
absolutely necessary that a large force
should be Immediately despatched to the
relief of Buluwayo, and pointing out
that difficulties have arisen in the way
of the company being able to do so at
present
The company was authorized to raise
an additional force Of 500 men in South
Africa. and it is further reported that
two additional battalions of British reg
ular troops will be Immediately sent to
South Africa.