New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-31
THE WAR WITH THE SIOUX.
. STATEMENT BY THE INDIAN OFFICE.

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SITTING BULL HAVING SUP
PLIES OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS KEPT AT THE
AGENCIES BY BEINC FED.
WASHINGTON, July 30.-Thc Indian ONCE
desires the statement he made that since the begin
ming of the troubles with sitting Bull the office has been
the subject Of sharp criticism proceeding probably from
ignorance two poiuts-rst, in regard to Sitting Bull
having been found TO be well provided with arms and
ammunition and, second, in regard to tine
fact that, while some OF the agency Indians
have undoubtedly slipped away from their
agencies, the issue OF the raions 90 those remain
ing has not been entirely stopped on that account On
neither Of these points do the warrant the criticism
The action the Indian OGce Is in accordance with the
peace policy, which contempacs tine use OF the military
in castsng the defiant and hostile Indians fully as
the OF the civil power i'm protecting and aiding those
who remain friendly. The position OF the office in re-
gard TO these subjects is shown III the following bref
statement:
First As 70 the sales OF arms and ammunition on the
18th Of January The Commissioner of Indian Affairs
directed by telegraph the agents no Fort Belknap Fort
Peek Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, Red Cloud and
spotted Tail Agencies 20 stop all sales OF arms and am
muniton Indians those Agencies and TO seize all
such articles liable reach the Indians No complaint
by military officers others has yet reached the Indian
OAce that any licensed trader or any person at
ans ~ the Sioux Agencies has been permitted
by Indian Agents 10 sell or barter to Indians any
ammunition Whatever; neither has any COM
plaint been made to the Indian once That any
Of their agents ha been rcmss in attempting 10 prevent
far lay In his power the Illicit and conceded trade
which has been undoubtedly carried on TO a greater or
less extent the orders issued The Sioux
Reservation large tie STATE OF Ohio. and bounded
IT, entire line OF 100 miles hy uayigabe river
with numerous landings aud inuumorahe other points
where Of this kind could De landed tousy
aud two ~ the most important agencies are on
ITS southern border within 900 miles Of Cheyenne. This
.f.r Yft. 4fr,1Ig nc 4p.,uf an
deed empoyc. OF the indian ONCE scattered at the differ
ent agencies thin ~ limits nor well known by none
be.'crthln army officers themselves, 10y sGch force rs
military have been able e. command for that pur
pose. such police work has very properly, therefore,
been left the array. and while the Indian ONCE has
been m the maIn powcrc,s 70 help has been very FIR
from hiudcns She army in ~ endeayors to prevent this
traffic.
See,nd: AZ to proyilng the Indians now at the
agencies with rations the idea .nlt the sioux As'ncr'
are % be- with the consent Of the Indian oice either
the recruiting ground the refuge - indiana engaged
in hos,Ilt,cs Is mistake. From time to time most
urrut order. have been given 20 various Sioux agents
Co Use their Influence and authority 20 - utmost extent
10 keep their Indians at their agencies For this purpose
10 has been Thought wise furnish the agents "a far q, ID
laa been IN th. power Of the Office, with
sdrh supplies OF the pllucst and cheapest food as would
eiy, the agency Iudln- sufficient excuse to join sit
ting Bulls baud II supplies mad not been furnished
Their, every reason to suppose htt the chc' l"''S
would have been larger than present by thousands
The means 10 the disposal 81 the Office for tins purpose
have been very limited Twice AZ least, w!taih -FOUR
mouths. supplies Rcd Cloud and spotted Tai have
u,.s almost utterly exhausted Tor the simple reason that
C1nsgs- had given the Commi -.oncr the means Of p1T
chasing them only after long delay AMI much urgent So
r.it.tnn The case At one ,uc wax srriou, hat the
President felt Justified IN making 1t the subject Of 'p"-
ri-i message
Tho Indian Office 10 acting In m" present emergency ~
entire harmony with the War Department II proposes
90 aid she army making complete work By d'irn'nS
,lismouutiug and ar.c7tns every hostile Indian ~"o
makes as appearance 20 aIy Of the agencies Tor that
purIusc on TIE goth inst the Commissioner ISSUED the
following tclcsrlph.c order 10 tho several sioux Asch
cIcs:
AlDvy the military far control your indians a. -
prevent any from Joining the hu.cs, and u' Latter aul
Irir families from coming u except on uu'oraltlohAl
-rrTrui.r Ala u arrp- ,ut dsirniug, aud d-mpuntng
such Issue rdtuus - such except a, prisoners, ~
sure all pcIccabic Indians of fu! protection and knd
treatment.