THE RISING IN NATAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 23

THE RISING IN NATAL.

THE SITUATION NOT IMPBOVING. PIETERMARITZBURG, April 16. Evidence of the complicity of Dinizulu, ' one of*- the leading Zulu chiefs, in Bambaata's revolt is multiplying. April 17. The Natal Government has thanked the Begent (Bambaata's uncle) and Bambaata's brother for their loyalty, and has promised to recompense them for the destruction of their huts and cattle. The Government has invited the Regent to appoint loyal .indunas to replace those who assisted Bambaata. April 18. Bambaata is still hiding in the forest at Nkandhla. Owing to the Zulu chiefs Signandi and Nudubi refusing to co-operate in Bambaata's capture, the Government states that the situation is less satisfactory, and it is mobilising/ further Militia. Colonel . Mansell has moved* his force to Nliandhla. . ' 1 r The. chief JHnizulu. has warned Signandi tblt tbe latter" will be held responsible for -Bambaata's. capture, since ' be- allo.wed him - 'to 1 - e^terC^tlie. forests., ,- -„• - The^NataL -.Government asks - for volun- . tiens^.for- a." special^cprps for., actiy.fe service _ - i&'Zaluland, junder-:ColoneT R'oyston. { It i&. reported at'Eshowe thatjSignandi's tribe • has .-Joined Bambaata.. - ' The military authorities^ have requested the , Government to send troops to Zululand. Mr C. 8.. Saunders (Commissioner of Native Affairs in^ Zululand) recommends the imposition of a fine on Signandi of 1000 cattle, and its collection in the presence of a white force. Such a course, he says, would be in the nature of an . ultimatum to the suspected chiefs. j Three hundred Ught infantry and a section of artillery at Durban are mobilising. The artillery proceeds to Dundee. April 19. Ndubi has joined Bambaata, the rebel chief. Colonel Wools Sampson offers to' raise 5000 to 10,000 Transvaal irregulars. His 6cheme- is to encircle Bambaata. Native assistance has been abandoned, and the situation is most critical. - Dinizulu is still suspected. He has been summoned to confer with the authorities as to the 'best means of capturing the xebel chiefs. . The inhabitants at Melnott have laagered themselves behind wire entanglements. „ ,One*. hundred and fifty Durban light infantry- and' 50 mounted men and 100 Natal Volunteers and two Maxims have been sent to Eshowe. Ap.ril 20. Dinizulu, the Zulu chief, protests his loyalty, and says that he is willing to send his whole tribe, under the chief induna, to arrest " the dog Bambaata," he himself remaining as a hostage in British hands. He is unable to lead his men owing to illness. The authorities adhere to their intention* to mobilise 5000 Natal troops, and to employ 2000 Cape-Transvaal auxiliaries. Mr Smyth c, Premier of Natal, has accepted Cherry Emmetfs commando of 250 Vryheid Boers. i Colonel Mansell laagered at Inkanteslu ■when an impi was seen approaching, but the latter did not dare to make an attack. April 22. | Mr J. G. Maydon, Minister of Railways ■ for Natal, in the course of a speech at Durban, declared that the poll tax had been made an excuse for a long-con-templated resistance. It was not intended to ask for 'Imperial aid. Ministers had resolved at whatever cost to face the problem without giving the Imperial Govern- j menfc the right of interfering, as such inter- ' ference would injure -British interests in • South Africa. --* ■■-'•- , Ap r n 23. Bambaata's followers consist of 1400 young malcontents belonging " to various • tribes. _ j Mr Saunders, Commissioner of Native - 'Affairs in Zululand, reports -that almost ~ antJopen breach has occurred amongst Sigamundi's tribe, a strong faction realising ' that Bambaata has duped them. Some of the tribe have returned to their kraals • owing to Dinizulu's reply to the re- L quest for co-operation, Dinizulu de- J that Sigamundi must fight hjg

own battle, and adding : •" I have no quarrel with the Government." The Premier- of Natal (Mr Smvthe), in a speech afc' Nottingham Road, declared that ' Lord Elgin's recent interference was un- ' warranted. The Nata) Ministry realised the serious responsibility in taking fellow creatures' lives ; but it was prepared to defend the recent executions. ; The Ministry was totally opposed to the use of Imperial troops, because the settlement of the trouble would then be removed from Natal's hands. Dinizulu's repatriation was an Imperial mistake, as the natives would not forget that he belonged to blood royal. Colonel Green declared that the recrudescence of the trouble was due to LoTd i Elgin's suspension of the executions, and 1 that such suspension impaired British authority in the eyes of the natives. i