The news of the week from Rhodesia has not been
of much importance, unless, indeed, the cutting of the telegraph to the South, announced on Thursday, should indicate an immediate attack on Bulawayo. The whites in that town, who number some eleven hundred, have made several dashes at the enemy which have come to nothing, the Matabeles being too strongly posted, and though the blacks, said to number fourteen thousand, are closing round the post, they do not venture to attack. Reinforcements from all sides are slowly advancing, but it must be weeks still before they arrive in any numbers. The defences of Bulawayo are being strengthened with dyna- mite, and a difficult pass on the southern road is now strongly held, but the defenders are troubled by the presence of large numbers of natives inside whom they do not trust, and do not at the same time like to expel. The result of an assault, if it comes, will depend greatly upon these men's action, but as yet the signs are that the Matabeles will rather attack the advancing reinforcements than attempt to storm the town. The Acting Administrator expresses confidence, but telegrams couched in alarmist terms are frequently received in London, and utilised to urge the despatch of troops who could not arrive in time.
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