The herald., 1896-04-20
"Modern Methods" of Warfare
Adopted at Buluwayo
THE CHARTERED COMPANY
laslsts That the Town Il Not ID
Any Danger
Dread While They Pispare for
Desperate Fighting
Associated Press Special Wire.


the numbers of the Matabeles around
Buluwayo and threatening that place
continue to increase SO they now form
a formidable force. AS measure OF
defense against the expected attack
upon the town, dynamite mines have
been laid in the outskirts of the town,
and in the outskirts Of the town and
in. the ground over which an attacking
party would necessarily approach.
These mines have been wired and con-
nected with instruments in the central
laager, which will be the point of re-
treat in case of attack. From the
central laager the ground in which the
mines have been laid is in full view
and the mines can be exploded by elec-
tricity at the moment required. An
explosion at the moment an advancing
horde of natives covers the mines
would do tremendous execution.
THE TOWN IS SAFE.
LONDON, April 19.-The officers of
the Chartered South Africa company
here are persistently representing that
the situation at Buluwayo is not as Sc
rious as represented in non -official dis
patches and that the town is not in any
real danger. The chartered company
today announced that the officials Of
Buluwayo are confident that they can
hold the town and that the town of SAL
isbury is also safe and is organizing its
defensive forces. The tone of nom Off
Clai OlSpatCNeS ITOul oOutu AlIlCd IT,
fleets a contrary tone and continues to
represent the situation at Buluwayo as
alarming and the condition of affairs
throughout Matabeleland as growing
more and more threatening. Elabor-
ate precautions for defense, indicating
a momentary fear of overwhelming at
tack are reported from Buluwayo, and
grave apprehensions exist there that
communication with the settlements to
the south will be cut off. The supply
of provisions is diminishing in Bulu-
wayo in a constantly increasing ratio,
owing to the large number Of refugees
and, what is much more serious, doubt
full natives who are coming in. Dread
is abroad among all the white inhabi-
tants that these natives are hostile Mat
abeles coming in under the disguise of
friendliness but meditating a treach-
erouS outbreak in co-operat ton with an
attack from without.
The diminishing supplies make the
keeping open of communication to the
south doubly important. as 1t is from
there that supplies for Buluwayo 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 snf-
ficient temporarily to relieve the ne
cessity of keeping these roads open to
the passage OF friends of the people of
Buluwayo.
The Times this morning publishes in
formation going to show that the arm
ing Of the inhabitants of the Trans
vaal, which is going forward with such
energy, is being assisted from German
sources.
A Cape Town dispatch to the Times
says: A Barbarton telegram reports
that the German steamer Bundesrath
arrived at Delagoa bay on April 14th
and st. Komati on April 18th. The pas
sengers were not disposed to allow
90 m he oy inc n.
ers. however. have unearthed numerous
military accoutrements. A German
officer subsequently produced a pass
port and the party proceeded to Pre-
toria, the capital Of Transvaal.
The Daily News saysvthat military
authorities consider that the appoint
ment of Gen. Darlington British COM
mander at Gibraltar, who has been or
dered to the Cape Of Good Hope to
take command of the British forces in
Matabeleland, is a measure of precau-
tion and that it will probably be fol-
lowed by the dispatch of more troops.
1.-THE war Office is busy making ar
rangements." the Daily News contin-
ues, "and placing stores in readiness
been sent summoning every officer on
furlough in Great Britain from the
Cape to return to duty without delay.
The militant section of the Tories are
In active revolt against the policy in
berlain and Gov. Sir Hercules Robin
son of Cape Colony, and they talk Of
adiourning the house on the subject"
The Chronicle UIiberaD, commenting
upon the situation in South Africa,
does not assume that 1t is Mr.. Cham
berlains policy, but" it says, If the
government deliberately intends the
subjugation of the Dutch race in South
Africa in revenge for the defeat of DR..
Jameson, 1t is time that Englfshmen
were up and doing.
The Chronicle suggests the formation
of watching committee Of leading
men.
BULUwAYO, April 19.-so far as the
situation Is improved here over that of
Yesterday, it is due to the departure of
the enemy, massed to the north OF the
town for several days. and from which
an attack had been almost hourly ex-
pected.
This movement. how ever, brings little
comfort to those in Buiuwayo. The ex-
cited maner in which the natives quit
ted their positions indicate confident
purpose OF mischief. There is no evil
at the demonstration of the patrol of
twenty-four men from Buluwayo upon
their vanguard. Although this van
guard was driven back upon the main
body, Y = patrol did not dare to place
itself wAS.d reach of the overwhelming
numbersNr the main body.
The direSS ION taken by this great body
OF hostile ttives after quitting the
position to thy north has not been learn
ed. But it is icared the purpose of the
movement is toSSv to effect junction
with the rebels in tins Matoppo hills and
thus sever communication to the south
ward. The road through the Matoppo
hills to the south Of Buluwayo is a
dimcult and dangerous one for fifty
inlles from here. at which distance the
road reaches the Mangwe pass. This
angular and precipitous defile, it is
felt must be held. 1t is of such char
ecter that 1t can be made impregnable
against the attacks of native warriors.
Eut Tor the same reason. if allowed to
get into the hands oe the natives il
would be extremely dtficult and per-
maps impossible to disl6dge them with
any force at present available. TO leave
this pass to the enemy would effec-
tually cut off the intercourse of BuIu
weyo with the outside world To hold
tne pass ana to patrol the road between
u ana buiuwayo, measures which are