The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-18

pendence of the South African Republic will
be declared, the Orange Free State may be
actually Incorporated into the Republic, the
natives will everywhere be melted to rise
made to drive the British out of South At
rica- This Is the plan openly talked OF and
chuckled over by the Beers, but the home
authorities seem to be utterly blind to the
danger ahead and the chartered company. in
the interests OF its stockholders, is doing
everything possible to suppress the truth and
the belief Is growing that nothing short of
a terrible disaster such as the capture of
Buluwayo will bring the British government
It is stated that fully 1900 Matabeles have
been massed for the attack on Buluwayo,
which. although placed in a fair state ef de
rushing charge of the native regiments,
which. IL they number only half OF 5000,
might sweep the town even IL thousands
of the char Chartered G H company say they @ have lo no
fear that Buluwayo VIII be captured, but it
Is the overconfdencef OF the British, the
of an enemy, which has led to many histor-
ical disasters to the British arms.
LOBENGULA'S Old CAPITAL.
There is no denying that the Matabeles
have been steadily gathering together for
weeks past with the intention. apparently. of
attacking Buluwayo. The recapture of King
Lobengula's old capital from the British
would be fearful blow to the paramount
power in South Africa" This is frankly ad-
mited, and yet the available force of volun-
teers at Buluwayo is believed to be not much
over 700 men. Machine guns have. it is true,
been hurried to the front from the British
flagship st. George; the market place has
been converted into strong laager. the old
police camp outside the town and other
points have been fortified. but it would take
many men and many tobstructions TO with
stand over 10000 fearless Matabees, espe-
cially If it is true thatlthey are being "aided
and abetted" by Boer commandants and led
by old King Lobengula or his son.
Although the modem Buluwayo is some
slight distance away from the old chief
kraal or collection of shuts which composed
the headquarters, about two years ago, of
the ruler of Matabelelhnd, to the Matabees
minds. they and nobody else should possess,
and which, If recaptured, must certainly
bring them back their old historic glores.
the agents of the Beers, who have every
where been preaching covertiy but effect
iyely crusade against the British 1t is
this crusade which is at the bottom Of all
the trouble, and 1t dates from the time of
Dr. Jameson's tilibustsring raid and the bad
sMhippping administers nh st by the Beers to his
the Transvaal, the territory of the British
South Africa Company was depleted of
mounted police. arms and ammunition.
These We're all either captured by the Beers
and shipped out of the country or now in
the hands of the burghers. Here was the
opportunity of the Boer leaders, and they
grasped it promptly and firmly.
for. 1t has been changed in two years from
of brick, wood and corrugated iron buildings:
IL mas an opera house and several clubs, a
newspaper (the BuIuwayo Citizen, a law
court and a squad of lawyers, a stock ex-
change and several hotels, a chamber of
commerce, polo ground, streets and ave
nues ard churches. The enemy in large
ic .f Tl,,l.,
all the outlying posts which it is possible to
relieve have been relieved, men, women and
children have fiocked into the place from the
surrounding country until it is believed that
about 1900 souls are already mustered within
the town, defended by about 700 or 500 Brit
ish South Africans. police and volunteers.
But the enemy is said to number Il, 900 war
riors and some time must elapse before the
reinforcements reach Buluwayo.
ENROLLING VOLUNTEERS.
1t is believed that the arrival here of Sir
Richard Martin, the newly appointed COM
mandant general of the chartered company's
forces in South Africa, daily expected, will
be the signal for an energetic pushing of the
campaign against the Matabeles. Over 500
additional volunteers have already been en-
rolled and several detachments are now on
their way to Buluwayo. 1t is reported that
the volunteers and police at Buluwayo are
contemplating making a sortisst to try to take
the Matabeles by surprise. 1t Is predicted
here that if this is done the British force will
almost certainly be annihilated and that
Buluwayo will fall into the hands of the en-
emy. The towns only chance of safety is
believed to be in remaining strictly on the
defensive until the strongest relnforcements
1t is possible to send there have reached
Buluwayo. Otherwise, disaster stares Bulu-
Way0 In the face.
1t is reported that the rebellion has been
checked in the Shiloh district, where 1000
Matabeles are said to have asked for white
protection. Old settlers familiar with South
r11So do
guerre.
The apprehension in the mind of the Brit
forcemeIts of troops to South Africa may
again endanger the strained relations with
the Transyaal Is Indicated by a statement
President Kruger. Governor Robinson on
behalf of Colonial Secretary Chamberlain.
seIpiarned ssb 10 presioent krhser that tue Brit
patched to Cape Town and Natal do not imply
any change in the friendly policy of the Brit
lsn b. government towards Tss Ine Transyaal Mr.
formed Of the decision to eend troops, the
statement continues. because he Is aware that
tentions OF the imperial government in order
to prevent a satisfactory understanding be-
tween G Great Britain and and the Transvaal
eral Joubert. commander-in-chief of the
T-ansyaal military forces. in which he denies
in the Transvaa as has Be Been ya reported uprising
An official dispatch received at Cape Town
from Buluwayo reports the safe arrival, there
still open. 1t is felt that the greatest danger
to Buluwayo, unless the natives should mus
ter in crushing force, is that of a possible
running short of supplies Of food and of am
munition., The. food supply is reported suffi-
cient to last for a month, but there have
been appeals for additional supplies OF am
munition, which must come from the south.
and must be two or three weeks on the way
even even II the convoy meets with no violence.
The keeping open Of communication is
therefore, OF first importance. The road for
twenty miles south of Buluwayo runs through
difficult and dangerous country and IL the
Buluwayo forces are shut up in the town and
unable to patrol the road from Buluwayo to
lieved, be impossible to keep the run open
and get through provisions.
The official dispatch received from Bulu-
wayo reports the Matabele warriors not only
on the north, but on the east of Buluwayo,
and the sending out Of looting parties, which
boldly appear within half-hour's march Of
the town.
TREACHEROUs PLOT.