The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-03
NEWS CARRIED QUICKLY.
Mysterious Means OF Communication OF
Natives of India and Africa.

Mysterious Means OF Communication of
Natives of Indin and Africa.
Both South African and British Indian papers
reor 70 the keen interest taken by the natives In
the two countries In the war between the British
and the Beers A regular system Of oommunica-
ton u said 70 have been established between sta
ions ON tho wcss and the northwest frontier Of
India and tho hin country, by which all informs-
ton concerning the progress I'd the war Is TRIMS
mittcd with extraordinary ropidity among tho
tribcsmen. How II Is done " a mystery yet un-
solved: but one Indian paper affrms that tho news
Of the beginning Of bostilitos in South Africa
already known scross the frontier when II
ceivcd a, Peshowur by telegraph. The effect 81
II was seen In the agitation thai began among the
tribcs and In a call sent out by the Mullab Of
Povindnh for 1900 men 10 assemble ostcnsibly
10 march against some recalcitrant chicftains.
He also issued proclamation assembling the dc
feats Of the tribcsmen last year 70 the want Of
harmony among them. and pointing out that II
they wanted 70 recover their Independence they
must rise all together. In consequence Of this
agitation British force hos been sent TO tho from
tier TO tho point threatened.
A Rhodosian papeu. In announcing the out
break Of the laments the absence OF taegr aphc
communication between Beira and the coast
towns Of Natal and Cape Colony. by which news
could be rcocivcd Of the progress Of bostilites,
and says that II all other means Of oommunica-
ton fail. they will have 70 fall beck upon tho
native houseboys II says thai Il has certainly
been more than surprising In previous African
wars how early and correct was the information
the natives seemed 70 possess. An instance IL
given In which during the Last Mnshona war.
the Mashonas In the initial district knew Of the
battle at the Shangani River ON the evening Of
the same day which Il was fought How
such speed Of communication secured IL
still q publ. whether II was done by shout
ing from hill 70 hill or by feet runners In relays
the result the covering Of 400 miles in eight hours,
was q marvel
A writer describing the interest taken by the
Rhodedan natives in the war betwrrn the British
and the Beers says that the is 70 he regretted
because of the demoral,ing effect II Is producing
on the natives One Of the greatest projections
which the white man carries with him among
the Bantu uibes Is the belief that all white men
are brothers and that injury to one will be
avenged by all Further, among the brnents
which the white man has brougb, 10 Africa In
the possibility Of peace. War in all Its aspects
has been for SO many centuries the natural order
OF things that It has more than hstonished the
Bantus 20 which the Matabele, Mashonhs, and
other tribes inbabung Rodesia and the ncighb
ing territories belong, TO meet with people who
believed that peace not war, was the brst condi-
ton Of things Now that the native has discov-
cred that the white men, too can fight with each
other the attempt 10 impress the natives with
the advantages of peace will fail and for this
reason the war Is regretted. But the danger Of
a general native rising Is no, npprehcndcd. the
security of the whites in the absence II union
among the various kranls the chiefs Of which
while ready To fight each for his own land. cannot
be brought to act in alliance with one another or
under the leadership Of a paramount chief