Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 9 April 1896, Page 2

Africa.

Five thousand troop 3 are being sent to the Cape to quell the Matabele rising. It is expected that the campaign will last two months. President Kruger, in a message to Sir Hercules Robinson, states that if the British desire it he is willing that the burghers help and protect the women and children in Matabeleland. Sir H. Robinson thanked President Eruger, but stated that the Imperial forces would be sufficionfc to cope with the insurgents; Mr Rhodes has reached Fort Salisbury and called for 150 volunteers. During the voyage he engaged 200 Soudanese at Port Said, who were landed at Beira, whera the railway begins, and they are on the way to Buluwayo. Mr Rhodes attributes the rising to the premature arming of the native police. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, expects that the force 3 fr,om Mafeking and Buluwayo will be sufficient to crush the Matabele rising, but Sir Hercules Robinson has been authorised to raise an additional 500 men. : Mr Chamberlain has further stated that the report that 5000 troops were to be despatched to the Capq was premature. The safety of Buluwayo is assured. It is defended by 900 men. Gambol, one of the leading chiefs, remains loyal. All the districts threatened by the natives have now been relieved except Belingwe and Gwanda. Rinderpest is paralysing the transport operations in Rhodesia. The settlers in Bechuanaland are flocking to Mafeking, and appeal to the authorities here for help, aa they fear a rising. British residents in the Band, to the number of 450, have volunteered for service in Rhodesia. The estimated number of whites killed is 200. The Matabeles believe that Lobengula's son is collecting impis for the purpose of attacking Buluwayo and Gwelo. Mr Rhodes, at the head of a force of 150 strong, starts to relieve Gwelo.