The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-12-18
GENERAL MILES ON THE INDIANS.

Inc Indications are mat MI. ScnurZ, Sec
rotary of the interior, will have to surrender
the control of such tribes of Indians as have
shown little inclination to adopt civilized
life and confine his operations to those who
have been decimated and subdued. A policy
that leads directly to war ought not
clearly demonstrated that whatever may
have been the intentions of religious socie-
ties in bringing Indians under the influence
of Christianity, very little Roadway has been
made, and Indian outbreaks are becoming
more frequent the longer the policy is main
tanned. The fact is established by the
testimony of every srmy officer whose
views upon the subject have been
obtained, and since the amy has TO do all
the fighting, the opinion OF officers ought to
have weight. The testimony of Gen. Miles
in this connection is of interest. In a recent
interview at Chicago, he said:
The present policy has been in existence
twelve years. During that time / have been
with the ModOcs and Apaches In Arizona; the
Cheyennes, Kiowas and Comanches IN Indian
Territory and TexaS the Sioux, Nez Perces
and Bannocks, aud in this last outbreak OF the
Cneyennes Now, | think change would
years, say, or five years, and let the interior
department retain the semi-ctviliZed tribes.
for five years, after which time, if deemed besi,
they could be transferred back to the In
terror department. think Secretary Schurz
bureau, aud strives hard for an honest ad.
ministration, but man in his position Is not
sure OF remaining long, and may be removed
at any time; aud II may be If a new man
came into powor he would have different
ideas and would not do as well. see 1t stated
In some papers that representatives of GER
tain Christian denominations think that
under the war department they
would not have the same privileges as now.
AT present the various denominations
have the choice of agents for certain posts,
each one having sort of control over the
agency assigned to 1t. Now, this arrangement
representatives of all the Christian denomina-
tons in the army, but IL is question whether
IL would be any wiser than TO have the divi-
partmentS so managed. The men in charge of
them a not selected because of their peculiar
RELIGION. There is one thing about an army
martlaled in case of any misdemeanor,
or he could be tried by jury, but it
Of White hi" mem S''e out there that | wiii
convict man for offeGse against
an Indian. An officer has life appointment,
which Is worth more to him than the value of
any bond, and he is not going TO forfeit his
commission for something that VIII be of little
benefit to him, and be sure TO bring disgrace.
The general thought the army could act as
large police force TO watch the Indians TO
certain extent, and return stolen property in
a manner In which It is not done now. de
would have the Indians scattered somewhat
upon reservations and taught. 1t is only
when they are together in herds that mischief
comes. He did not believe the presidents
recommendation In regard to forming the In
dams into mounted cavalry force would
work well The friendly Indians are good as
scouts with an army, but dangerous when in
large bodies together.
The CONCLUSION is evidently correct that
the transfer of the Indians to the custody of
the army will in no wise interfere with
their civilization. On the contrary, IL the
Indians are taught obedience to authority
and made to believe that severe penalties
will follow any infractlon of the rules laid
down, they will be in a better
condition to submit to the labor
which civilization imposes and their condi-
ton will be much improved for the recep-
ton of Christianity, Besides all this the
government will be no longer a party to the
acts of fragrant injustice committed by its
agents. Stealing from the Indians will cease
and their respect for its authority will be in
creased