Connecticut western news., 1876-08-18
THE INDIAN POLICY.
How 1t is Proposed to Terminate the War with Sitting Bull and Prevent Future Outbreaks.

{ How 1t is Proposed te Terminate the War
 with Sitting Bull and Prevent Future Outbreaks.
 The United States secretary of war, General Sherman, and the commissioner of Indian affairs have recently had ire quent and extended consultations with the President on the Indian question, and have reached conclusions which, if put into practical shape, will not only soon make Sitting Bull and his warriors surrender, but will put another Indian war among the doubtful impossibilities. The details of their plans are not known, but 1t IS certain that they have decid d upon positive and summary policy with the Indians, which, if carried out long ago, would have saved Custer and his men. The following propositions are made:
 l. To prevent the Indians now in the field from procuring further supplies of ammunition the stores at all the agen- cles and trading posts will be confis- cated, and severe penalty inflicted upon any one who furnishes or attempts to furnish either hostile or agency in dians with powder or bullets. Through friendly Indians the authorities have re- gently discovered attempts to supply Sitting Bull with mmunition, and parties in communication with the h. dlans have been caught purchasing large quantities, but it is believed that all has been prevented, and that the return of the Indians from Sitting Bulls camp to the agencies has not been for peace, as they pretended, but for fresh supplies of powder. The Indians on inc war path are not able to carry very much, and in their reckless method of warfareit it IS soon exhausted. This, General Sher- man thinks, will induce Sitting Bull to surrender sooner than anything else.
 2. An attempt will be made to deprive all the agency Indians of their arms and to prevent them from procuring any more, by prohibiting the introduction ot firearms ona reservation except by the military. Reduced to the traditional bow and arrows the Sioux would be al- most defens eless. As fast, too, as h. dlans from hostile camps arrive at the agencies they are to be deprived of their arms and ponies and held as prisoners on the reservation. There is no other method of punishing them, except in cases where murder can be directly proven, which are very rare. No In lilau WILL De supplied With rat1OnS until he surrenders his arms. In hunting seasons small parties of Indians may be allowed their guns and limited sup ply of ammunition at the discretion of the agent.
 3. Strong military garrisons will be placed at each of the agencies to carry into effect the above plans, to prevent mutlnous outbreaks, and to prohibit In dians from leaving the agencies except by permission. General Sherman thinks 1t will be great deal easier and cheaper to prevent them from leaving their agencies than to drive them back after they have once left.
 If these plans can be carried out, General Sherman and the other mill tary and Indian authorities think they can prevent communication between agency and hostile Indians, and thus compel Sitting Bull to surrender, or de- pend upon his bow and arrows; can re- move the temptations for agency In dians to join hostile bands, and keep them fully under subjection at their agencies. The garrisons at all the agencies will be increased and officers of Judgment and experience will be put in charge.