New-York tribune., 1873-04-16
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
inb 9lODDC lhDbpb"'
GEN. SHERMAN THINK5 TIE INDIANS VIII kOf
LEAVE TIE LAVA BEDs-No CHANCE TO o.
MADE Ig THE PPACR POLICY.
TIE MoDOc TROUBLES.


LEAVE TIE LAVA BEDs-No CHANCE TO ~
MADE g THE PEACE POLICY.
(Br TELEGRAPH TIE TRiRONg.l
WASHINGTON. April i5.-Ibe M0dOc massacre con.
times 10 DO tho most exciting topic ~ conversation
in Washington, and the War and Interior Depart
ments are besieged for news from the Lava Bed.
Gen sherman, IN another interview with a reposts,
said that the great difficulty ~ The whole Indian
question was 10 determine just where the p,aos
policy should end and the military take tis Indaa.
in charge.
Reporter-Do you think it possible. G'1o.al. that
the Modocs have any secret passages b g'ik ont u
the Lava Bed, ard have gone away sf.ar hluns
determined TO murder all they could before leaving
Gen. shermsn-Oh, not at all The founi'iol a
those Lava Beds J, such that tho Indians on sspl
rat.ly crawl in and out Of the creyioes, and II IL al.
most impracticable for our forces 10 reach them.
Hence they consider themselves pretty safe where
they are.
Reporter-Has this section Of country over bosu
eXploredf
Gen. sherman-It has been trayersod by miner.
searching for gold but don't think it was ever er.
plored by any one who has any knowledge Of topo
graphy or delneatiOn.
Referring 10 the murder Of Gen. Candy. Gen Sher.
man said: II don't apprehend any spreading a
this thing. IL is very strange, though, how quickly
the Indians hear Of such occurrence They sl
know it Immediately, and talk Of a Big Chief being
killed"
While the General was explaining the poston of
tho troops in the various Territories, the reporter
pointing to Arizona, said "Gen. Crook is making
it very lively for the red skins here"
Cen sherman laughing)-Yes, he is. Crook i,
like an Irishman. He will not remain still, bat
keeps moving all the time, and really that is the
only true Indian policy Crook is our best Indian
officer. You see he has never gone on reservation
to chastise the Indians, but when they come away
from their reservations he makes it very lively for
them He is an intelligent. able officer, and sol
der by nature, and he don't scare worth 4 cent.
Reporter-Gen. Davis will be ap. % mao IL Lively
for the Modocs now.
Gen. Sherman-Yes, he Is very acti7o and no.slov
to pitch in.
There was nothing in the session Of the Cabinet.
to-day that would tend TO shed additional light on
the Indian question. The ModOc subject was dis
cussed for a short time but as Secretary Robson,
now Acting Secretary Of War. stated that no dis
patches had been received from Oregon or Cali
fornia, and as nothing had been received by The
President no consideration could be given as 70 the
present location of the troops and the Wis
dom of their movements. The subject
of abandoning the peace policy w1
not discussed nor was any proposition for any
change in the policy suggested. Tho policy VIII
certainly not be modified or altered except az to the
Modocs The President holds that he is committed
to this course not only by every consideration Of
right but by the promises to other bands, and thai
it would be simply cruel to withdraw the friendly
Offices of the Government from Indians who are
living in the utmost friendship with the Govern
ment. SO far as the ModOcs are concerned they VIII
be given quarter.
Attorney General Williams said tonight. in speak
ing of Commissioner Meacham, that he had known
him for Is years, and had the greatest respect for
him and every confidence in his integrity, his iudg
ment, and his ability. He says that Meacham was
devoted friend to the Indians, and during hn
services as Superintendent on the best OF terms
with the Modocs and also that he had the econhdenos
Of the people Of Oregon to remarkable degree
and they regretted his removal. He was an elcctoi
on the Grant electoral ticket during the last cleo
ton.