The news from Rhodesia is still of a mixed character.
The officer in command at Bulawayo telegraphs that the hills round the town are full of the enemy, and that be has certainly not more than three hundred and fifty men avail- able for offensive operations. The whole of the country round is, he says, in the enemy's hands, and the whole people appear to have risen. It may be added from other • sources that risings are anticipated in the Northern Trans- vaal, that "uneasiness" is perceptible in Zululand, and that spies have been arrested within Bulawayo itself. The Governor of Natal has lent the High Commissioner four hundred and fifty regular soldiers, three hundred of them belonging to the 7th Hussars, who will be forwarded to Mafeking, and thence to Bulawayo, whither also about one thousand volunteers are pro- ceeding by detachments from Mafeking, Kimberley, and Cape Town itself. Most of them should arrive with heavy convoys of ammunition before May 15th. Much, therefore, will depend upon the time chosen for the attack by the Matabeles, who are believed to number twelve thousand men, but who do not assault. Sir Hercules Robinson continues to discourage the despatch of reinforcements from home, and as yet it is only decided to replace the garrison withdrawn from Natal. Great anxiety is felt by all connected with Rhodesia, but so far the predominant feeling in South Africa is that the Colonists can manage for themselves. Mr. Rhodes has not yet arrived at Bulawayo.
