AFRICAN TROUBLES. THE ZULU PREPARATIONS FOR FIGHTING.

Evening Post, Volume XVI, Issue 284, 30 November 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

AFRICAN TROUBLES. THE ZULU PREPARATIONS FOR FIGHTING.

Some days ago our special cable despatches announced that there was great danger of disturbances among the Zulus. The following, which appeared lately in the Transvaal Argua, gives an account of a visit to the disputed territory, and what the visitor saw there shows that serious mischief was then brewing : — "As it was still early, Koster and I went to look at the Zulus, who were bnildiug their military kraal on his farm. We fouud three kraals finished, stationed about the distance of two miles from each other. Theso 'kraals, or camps, are curious things, being 150 yards in diameter, six feet high, made with laths and polep o l eg — a S ort of basket-work fashion. Besides these three, another is beiug built close to Mr. Filter's. The Zulus that are working there are all armed with rifles and assegias, and number from 500 to 600, and every day new contingents are arriving. Their motives for building these kraals are now quite obvious to me. Zulu chiefs have given notice to all the whites down here to quit, as Cetyways Bays he wants to take possession of his own, and now they are quietly occupying the country. So far as they have built, they have blocked up the wads, allowing no one to pass without paying toll — viz., an ox for a waggon. Their cheek iB unheard of ; they go into the houses of the Germans ; when sitting down to dinner, two or three Zulus will come in, and, sitting down also, help themselves to whatever they like. At Filter's they actually swarmed the house, walked into the wife's bedroom, saying they wanted to Bee the 'Missus.' The Germans have to buy their safety by giving j these- impudent Zulus whatever they ask for. From these kraals we went to the Umbeline'a old place, being on .Roster's farm. I have never in my life seen such ravines. The hole or cave where Umbeline formerly lived is now occupied by the Zulus, into which they are carrying food and storing it away. I have not been inside the cave, but those who know it well say it will hold about 400 head of cattle, having a stream of water running /through it. Besides this, the entrance is through an almost impenetrable bush. I enclose a rough sketch of the position of tho Zulus at Luneberg. The miseries these farmers have to enduru are frightful They had a meeting last week, and sent a memorial to the Government, asking assistance and protection. If none is given, they intend to have their properties valued by some competent person, and apply for protection through the German Consul. The sitting of the Land Commission has been indefinitely postponed in consequenoe of the witnesses refusing to attend because of the disturbed state of the district."