Massacre Is Feared

Cape Town, April 23.- [Copyrightcd, 896, by the Associated Press.]- Unless all te news which reaches this place from Juluwayo is misleading, an important ngagement botween the British torces efending the town and the Matábales beieging it will shortly take place, or it may already have occuvred. It is now mown that the forcé of hostilo natives which assembled about Buluwayo after he outbreak oí the rebellion was much greater than was at first supposed. The íighest estímate placed the number of he besieging forcé at 16,000, but although a large number of natives, said to number about 5,000 warriors, is known to have truck camp and started southward in the .irection which the relief forees from Meeking must follow, it is estimated fully 5,000 hostiles are still in the vicinity of he beleagured town. Wlthin Easy Striking Distance. The natives when they first took up positions about Buluwayo, formed a half circle northward, but gradually this fornation has been contracted, and the Viatabele army is now only about three miles, or within easy 6triking distance, on a dark mght, especially, of the 3,000 white people in the town, of whom about only BOO can be classed as fighting men. The southern portion of the half circle is mountainous country, and the main pass s held by about 300 whites. It is hrough this pass that the relief force and suppl trains must come. The men holdng this pas9 have been divided into four Dodies. The flrst, or advance guard, is occupying a position at the entrance of ;he most difficult turnings. The main aody occupies the strongest position in ;he pass itself, where a Maxim gun has Deen planted behind a well-constructed stone breas twork or fort, oommand ing ;he critical turn in the road. The Bear Gaard. Thig force is also looked upon as being in a position to turn the gun around and defend the pass from an attack from the north. The third body or rear guard is holding the northern end of the pass, which leads to the open ground and road to Buluwayo. The men holding the pass have provisions for one month, but their supply of ammunition is limited, some o) it already having been called in to replenish the diminishing store of the town. Both Buluwayo and Gwelo, which is also beseiged, have been practically rendered impregnable from an outward, open attack. But, in both oases, especially in the case of Buluwayo, a large number ol so-oalled friendly natives, have flocked into the olace under the plan of seeking the proteotion of the whites from the hostiles. These persons could not well be turned adrift or refused the shelter they requested. Conaequently they were ad mltted within the Unes and allowed to mix with the natives who regularly in habit the town. Au Alanning Increase. The number of these friendlies has increased alarmingly, and it is believed that fully 2,000 natives are now being fedfroni the common stores of Buluwayo. Thua while it may be true that Buluwayo, thanks to its dynamite mines, barbee wire defenses, strong laager ground, the market place, and half a dozen or so rapu firing guns, is safe ïrom an attempt to carry the place by storm, it is not safe from being reduced by starvation, and i might even be captured if the "friendlies' were suddenly to rise some night and créate a diversion within the linea which would enable the native impis to make a dash for the laager. ïhis is the greates danger now threatening the town of Bu luwayo, and signs of preparation for snel an outbreak upon the part of the friend lies have long been noticed and guardet against. One Maxim gun has been so placed as to command the native portion of the town or colony, and sentrie keep watch over the Matabeles night and day.