The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-19
Residents Of Lobensula's old Capital
Beset with Many Dangers Inside
and Out OF the Place.
GREAT MASSACRE FEARED
$1,000 wELL-ARMED MATABELEs
WAITING THEIR OPPORTUNITY.


copyrighted, 1896 by the Associated Press)
LONDON. April 1s--The latest sdvices re-
ceived from Buluwayo. Matabele.and. proved
beyond any doubt that the town Is In a most
critical situation. IL is surrounded in part
by large force of hostile Matabeles. esti-
mated 10 number from 1000 TO 15.oo0: the
garrison Is not believed TO number 1000 mep
all tod. and over one-third OF them ase
either foraging. holding stategic postionar
scouting or trying 10 keep the roads clear
for the provision and ammunition trains.
which are on the way to relieve Buluwayo-
Besides. 1t is reported that large portion
OF the remainder OF the garrison left Buiu-
wayo yesterday To attack the Imbeu regi-
iznent OF Matabeles.
A dispatch from Buluwayo. dated April
IL. says that the rebels increasing In
numbers in proximity TO the forces OF the
patrol established by the English Forty
two men attacked the vanguard Of the Mat
abeles at dawn and drove them back to the
main body. The English sustained loss OF
only one man wounded. Two Of the horses
belonging to the British attacking forces
were killed. however According 10 reports
received here over ffty of the natives were
killed. At noon the scouts again encountered
the Matabeies in the neighborhood OF the
a panic was caused in the town by the dis
covery of two hundred OF the natives hid
ing in the bushes back OF the hospital, where
they were detained by the forces OF the
British. Advices so far as received do not
indicate whether any OF the English or
Matabelks were killed or injured during
these conflicts. The situation Is, however.
growing more serious hourly and a hot time
is expected soon.
The announcement made In the House OF
Commas yesterday by Mr.. Chamberlain.
Secretary Of State for the Colonies. that the
government intended TO Immediately increase
the strength of the garrisons in South Africa
has caused great satisfaction here. The
Mddlesex Regiment, the first one ordered TO
SAIL has been especially chosen. as IL fought
at the Cape In 1879. There was great eia-
ton at Aidershot camp when the orders 10
prepare to embark for South Africa reached
the Middlesex Regiment. The soldiers gath
cred together and cheered repeafe6-y> for
Queen and country. everybody and every->
thing. and not many days viii elapse be-
fore the men are ready for shipboerd.
1t is more than h.nted thar the present
increase is only a first insfailment OF large
renforcements OF troops. which are 10 be-
sent TO the cape. The Conservative newspa-
pers are suddenly alive to the fact that the
Cape of Good Hope is Of vital importance TO
Great Britain, as being a sort OF halfway
house to India. a most healthy station. etc.,
and they loudly demand that II be converted
into military base on a large scale. But.
what is really meant is that Great Britain
should prepare for war with the Transveal
without loss OF time.
A dispatch from Salisbury, Matabele,and.
dated April 1s, says that Hon. Cecil Rhodes
has recovered from his recent illness. Ac-
cording TO this dispatch he expected TO start
at once for Bmuwayo. hoping to overtake
the British forces sent TO the relief OF that
town. According TO another dispatch from
Salisbury dated April IL. the departure OF
Hon. Cecil Rhodes for Buluwayo has been
postponed for at least forty-eight hours.
Further information has reached here
from johannesburg showing that the South
African republic is making extensive mill
tary preparations, and the news has been
confirmed from several parts OF the Trans
vaal. A dispatch to the Times from johann
nesburg says: There is much disgust here
at Sir Hercules Robinson tGovernor OF Cape
Colony persistently opposing the sending
of the British troops 10 South Africa. He
is accused OF su5serviency TO President
Kruger. and there are loud demands that
Mr.. Chamberlain end the matter The
Beers already six times outnumber the
British
In regard to Matabeleland, such in1uen-
tial papers as the Globe and Daily News
are urging that DIR. Jameson be allowed
Ito fll up his time bail in running over
to South Africa TO confer with the imperial
officers as to the necessary steps" The
Globe says: 'It is sheer faulty for tho
government to stand on puncti.iio in adopt
ing the most effectuai means. Dr. Jameson
Is worth a regiment"