The Telegram. — 1896-03-31 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

SHOCKING MASSACRES.  ANXIETY IN THE TRANS VAAL. BULUWATO, March 27th, Noon. Information has reached here that Mr. Selena has engaged the enemy, killing a large number. Five of his troopers were killed. The gravity of the situation is extreme. A thousand women and children are in 'eager. The Matabele have burned a store forty miles out, killing theoccupants. They performed a dance round the flames. Transport riders are abandoning their waggons and hurrying into the town for refuge. Massy Senclisib, coldblooded murder. are reported. Mr. Grey left yesterday evecing with forty mounted men. March 23.  A family, consisting of husband, wife, three grown-up daughters, and three eons, has been brutally murdered by the natives. Mr. Uroft, a prospector, had a marvellous escape, while two other prospectors, named James and Lewis, are missing. A woman and her children are in great danger 85 miles from here. They have nu-one to protect them, the husband being at Bultiwayo ill with fever. A waggonette has been dispatched to fetch them. Several Metals-le spies have been arrested. The Salisbury Horde is on its way to Gwelo. The enemy are reported to be assembling 30 miles east of Ituluwayo, and it is considered probable that an attack will be made to-night upon the town, which, however, is well preparerf. Later. - - • - - - - -  Mr. Gifford, who led one of the forces w—h-ich were dispatched ;from here on Thursday, has released thirty-eignt men, women, and a child whom he found laagered at Insers. The Matabele, who were well armed, made a determined attack, but were repulsed with heavy lost, Mr. Gifford lost O'Leary, killed, and six wounded, including Louis seriously. Mr. Gifford is now tailing back on Buluwayo. Captain tipreckley, who led a second force, has returned here, and reports that all the whites in the Filibusi district were massacred, among them being Mr. Bentley, Edkius' Baragwanath, and Carpenter. The bodies of the victims were horribly mutilated. Their faces had been covered with dry grass, which had then been set alight, and their features were scorched almost beyond recognition. The forces under Captain Napier and Mr. Grey will wide to-day, in order to relieve Stuhard's store at Tegwe, where the 'Tien and women are in laager. An attempt will be made to capture the supposed " god " who has instigated the rising. . . .  Mr. Selma is returning here. His force has inflicted serious loss on the natives, and has capt.it ed a quantity of cattle. Captain Spreckley brought in a number of Prisoner& _ _ .  SALISBURY, March 27, noon.  The officials here are taking every possible precaution for the defence of the town. Mr. Scanlon is acting as adotini.trator. Mr. Vincent has gone to meet Mr. Rhodes, who is expected on Sunday. Business is paralysed. Makutur March 28th, noon.  There is no signs of ;he' Matabele as present between Buluwayu and this place. It is assumed that they are meaning to the east preparatory to attacking Buluwayo. Two Transvaal farmers at Fig Tree have had their cattle raided, but they themselves succeeded in escaping, The Matabele have cut the unripe crops, which is a positive sign of their hostile intentions. A strong laager has been formed here, awl the people are preparing to make a fire, resistance in case of attack.  MARIMING, March 28. Five thousand pounds of arms and ammunition have been dispatched to Bulawayo in charge of an escort of Bechuatia Police. It is stated that great anxiety prevails in the Transvaal on account of the unprotected Boer fainilies in Matabeleland, and that a number of burghers have declared their readiness to proceed to their aesistance if permitted by the Government.