THE TROUBLE IN NATAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11789, 13 February 1906, Page 5

THE TROUBLE IN NATAL.

Threatening Attitude of Natives

Troops Proceeding to the Scene

Press Association.— Telegraph.— Copyright. Received February 12, 10.58 a.m. CAPETOWN, Februn.y 12. The murders in the Richmond district were Christianised Kaffirs belonging to the Moelis tribe. They abandoned their kraals, and tied to the bush near the sohrce of the Umbomas River, and it will be difficult to bring them to justice. Three hundred and fifty Carbineers and a battery of field artillery have gone to the scene of the disturbance. The attitude of the natives is threatening. Small bodies of troopers have been distributed in the country if possible to check the movement, but it is considered that more drastic measures are advisable. The trouble is connected almost equally with the ordinary hut tax and the new poll tax. The only Imperial troops in Natal are 200 belonging to the garrison regiment, and stationed at Maritzburg. It is thought that the Imperial troops ought to strengthen the garrison towns and villages. The crops are unripe, which is a possible deterrent to an extended rising. At present the natives in the other Zulu territory are unaffected by the unrest, but owing to the outbreak originating as above, it is feared the Ethiopian movement, already a power for mischief, will spread. The Cameron Highlanders at Pretoria are proceeding to Marituburg. Official information is hopeful that the outbreak will prove purely local.