Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28
Gravity Of the Situation in Aatabe-
leland Increasing" ''':'' n =.
DISCRETION OF THE NATIVE POLICE
Cecil Rhodes to Assume Control Of
BuIuwayo.
MANY FIENDISa MURDERS

patches received here from Buluwayo
Matabeleland, today announce that Freder-
lex c. Selous, the explorer, who left there
yesterday at the head Of a strong.detach-
ment of volunteers and police, has met and
engaged the enemy. killing a large num-
Der. Five troopers were killed. The prompt
action of the authorities has had good
effect upon the rebellious Matabeles, VINO
did not expect to be attacked for some time
to come
The Matabeles have burned a large store
about forty miles from Buluwayo, and ex-
ecuted medicine dance around the flames
The transport riders are abandoning their
wagons in all directions, and are pouring
into the towns, where armed men are
gathering for defense and for active opera
lions against the rebels. Many tiendish
murders have been reported. and the set
tiers are terror-stricken. In nearly ali
cases they have abandoned their homes and
are encamped in laagers. while waiting to
be rescued by the mounted police anG vol
unteers. Others have placed their houses
in state for Defense and have determined
to fight it out until assistance reaches
them. -"i ''..- .-+
The gravity of the situation has not been
exaggerated, although 1t Is still hoped that
the promptness of the authorities in COM
mencing operations against the Matabeles
may result in checking the spread OF the
rebellion.
Fears for n Thousand Settlers.
Fears are entertained for the safety of
the party Of 1.OOO settlers. mainly women
and children. who are in the lager In the
vicinity of which a strong force OF Mata-
beles has been reported. The settlers have
only sufficient provisions ito. las., them "a
short time.
One of the gravest features of the up
rising is that 1t Is now admitted that the
to take part in the rebellion, but to in
duce the various tribes they were supposed
to control to take up arms against the
whites. 1t Is estimated that In this manner
seven hundred well-trained fighting men,
armed with modern rifles and well sup
piled with ammunition, have gone over to
the enemy.
The military and civil authorities of the
town of Salisbury, which Is capable Of sus-
tanning long SIEGE are taking every
measure of precaution. which 1t is possible
placed in a commanding position and am
lnunition has been served out to the vol
Gnteers.
Cecil Rhodes Expected.
Mr. Cecil Rhodes is expected to arrive
at Ruluwayo today. He will assume the
direction Of the repressive measures.
Business throughout Matabeieland Is
completely paralyzed AMI will so remain
until the rebellion, is crushed. Reinforce
ments of mounted police are being drafted
to Buluwayo AMI Salisbury, and ad.ii-
ttonal Maxim guns are being forwarded to
both those points.
LObenEula's Son Leads.
Later a6vices from Buluwayo announce
that the son Of the late King Lobengula,
" no was banished from. Matabeleland last
year. has returned and placed himself at
the head of the insurgent Matabeles. The
lat tor hox in
Sc ssion OF many rifles and stock of am
munitiOn which, although not large, is suf-
ficient to enable then to make a very much
more effective fight than they old two
years ago. ~" -
Dispatches have been received from Bull
uwayo during the day asking that more
arms and ammunition be hurried forward,
as, although there are plenty of volunteers,
there are not sufficient weapons 20 arm
them.
Scouts who have returned to Salisbury
and BulIwayo report that the natives are
gathering in large bodies at different parts
available.
They are being excited by the medicine
men A strong force will have to be en-
ployed in order to restore order There
has been much looting of cattle, and a
native police inspector has baen murdered
by his men. who afterward deserted and
went over to the enemy with their arms
and ammunition.
Danger in All Parts.
Travelling is now dangerous In all parts
Of Matabeleland and 1t Is feared that com
munication with Buluwayo will shortly be
Interrupted temporarily and that the lines
of communication will, in any case, have to
be held by the mounted police and volun-
teers for some time to come.
Se1ous succeeded in recapturing a large
herd of cattle stolen by the Matabeles, and
the animals have been driven toward Bulu-
wsyo, where they may be needed soon for
the provisioning of the town.
SelouS has ordered a number Of scouts to
keep in touch with the Matabeles, and so
soon as sufficient body Of men can be sent
out from Buluwayo an attack in force
will be made upon the rebellious natives.
The outskirts of Buluwayo are occupied
by police and volunteers, and very eff
| fsctiye lager has been formed around the
! market house. where the ammunition and
supplies have been stored.
Maxim guns protect each side of the
lager, and 1t is believed that the place has
| been rendered proof against any assault
| which the Matabeles may make upon It.
| 1t is not believed, however. that matters
| will reach such a stage as that; but the au-
| thorities decided to take every precaution
| possible, as the fighting power and strength
| of the Matabeles is too well known for any
precautions to be neglected.
| r-TnRESNT Dol