Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-04-25
KEEPING THE BEST SIDE UP
South African Company Afraid
of the Facts.
Ofiicial and Nom OnlciaI Dispatches
From the scene OF the Troubles
show, Beyond All Peradventure,
That someone - LyinR-The Dread
Abroad Among the White EnhabI-
Iants-Diminishing Supplies One Of
the Chie1 Dangers to he Feared.

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are persistently representing that the
situation in Buluwayo is not as serious as
represented in non-official dispatches
and that the town is not in any real
danger.
The chartered company today an.
nouuced that the officials in Buluwayo
are confident that they can hold the
town and that the town of Salisbury is
also safe, and is organizing in defensive
forces. The tone of non official dis
patches from South Africa reflects a
contrary tone, and continues to repre-.
rent the situation at Buluwayo as alarm
ing and the condition of affairs through
out Matabeland as growing more and
more threatening. Elaborate precau-
tons for defense, indicating a monetary
fear of overwhelming attack, are re-
reported from Buluwayo and grave APP
prehensions exist there that communi-
cations with the settlements to the south
will be cut off. The supply of provi-
sions is diminishing in Buluwayo, in a
constantly increasing ratio, owing to
large number of refugees and, what is
mnch more serious, doubtful natives
that are coming in
The dread is abroad among the white
inhabitants that these natives are hostile
Matabeles, coming in under the guise of
friendliness, but meditating treacher-
Gus outbreak in cooperation with an
attack from without.
The diminishing supplies make the
keeping open of communication to the
south doubly important, as it is from
there that supplies for Buuwayo must
be looked for Fears are entertained
for the safety of the supplies now on the
way, and even should these get through
to Buluwayo they are only sufficient to
temporarily relieve the necessity of
keeping these roads open to the passage
Of friends of the people Of Buluwayo.
Buluwayo, April I9.-Sunday-So far
As the situation is improved here over
that Of yesterday, it is due to the de-
parture of the enemy which has been
massed at the north of the town for
several days and from which an attack
has been almost hourly expected.
This movement, however, brings lit
tie comfort to those in Buluwayo. The
excited manner in which the natives
quilted their positions indicated conf
Gent purpose of mischief There is no
evidence that they were alarmed Friday
at the demonstration of the patrol of
A. men from Buluwayo against their
vanguard. Although this vanguard was
driven back upon the main body, the
patrol did not dare to place itself within
reach of the overwhelming members of
the main body.
The direction taken by this great body
OF hostile natives after quitting the
learned but it is feared the purpose of
the movement is to try and effect a
junction with the rebels in the Matoppo
hills and thus sever connection to the
southwark The road runs through
the Matoppo hills to the south of Bulu-
wayo, and is a difficult and dangerous
one for fifty miles from here, at which
distance the road reached the Mangwe
pass This angular and precipitous de
file 1t is felt must be held. 1t is of such
a character that ii can be made impreg-
nable against the attacks of native war.
rors But for the same reason, II
allowed to get into the. hands-sot sthe
natives, it would be extrealely dlfAEpll
to dislodge them with any force st pres.
ent available To leave thisNass u he
enemy would effectually cut off the
intercourse of Buluwayo with the out
side world To hold the pass and to
patrol the road between it and Bulu-
wayo, measures which are felt to be
imperatively necessary for the safety OF
this place, requires large proportion OF
the available force, less than thousand
men in Buluwayo.
The threatened movement OF the en-
envy upon the line of communication
perplcx the authorities with the problem
OF Tow far they can further denude Bul.
uwayo Of its fighting force to guard the
road. The lack of certainty as to the
whereabouts and immediate destination
!, of the great mass of natives moving SO
near the town causes much dread and
anxiety.
r,hr =nailv News says thai the mill
. larry authorities consider mat I: az
pointment OF General Darlington, Br
ish commander at Gibraltar, who Ii
been ordered to The Cape of Good Ho
10 take command of the British forG
!, IN Matabeand Is a measure of prec
: lion and thai it will probably be
lowe} BY the dispatch of more troops
@5rhe war office is busy making ar
+, rangcments,9 The Daily News continues
aand placing stores in readiness 70
being transported
"Tclegrams have been sent summon
ing every officer on furlough in Grea
Britain from the cape to return 10 dut,
> without delay.
> THE militant section of the Torie
are in active revolt against the policy ii
; Africa of Colonial Secretary Chamber
), lain and Governor Sir Hercules Robin
. son OF Cape of Colony, and they talk 0