The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-24
THE SITTING BULL QUESTION

INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR WALSH ON THE con-
DIrioS or THE ExILED SIOUX THEIR RE-
LATIoNs WITH THE AMERICAN AND DoMIN-
ION GovERSMENTs-THE KANUcKs ANXIOUS
TO SEND THEM BACK.
In account OF an interview with Major Walsh, OF
the British Northwe Police, the Chicago Times
May u, says
knowing now excellenty well conyersant was
MAJOR j. 81 Walsh, OF the Northwestern mounted po-
lice force, with all the phases OF the Indian question:
as Affecting the interests OF the two countries Times
representative had conversation with the dis
tinguisbei oiiccr yesterday, previous to his do
parturc Tor the north TO assume command Of. his po
lice iorcc. Since leaving the northern country Major
Walsh has been IN constant communication with tho
officers OF his command, and has been kept well
posted upon all the movements OF the REDSKINS. This
ollcer has already SHOWN marvellous capacity IN
dealing with the Indians, aud possibly there IS no
man Ia either thc American or Canauan service
better acquainted with all The methods and charac-
teristcs oi tho savages. He has uispiayed wonder
full influence IN dealing win them, and by pursuing
careful policy has Won ns personal confidence OF all
the leading chiefs. He has become known III all the
camps Of the savages, and could undoubtedly accom-
psn grea. work in securing return Of all tho
bands TO tins country,
THE RETURN OF THE DESIRED
Alter conversing IN general way ulon tho pros.
pecL OF another summer campaign the Major was
s.Do you think 1t would be tho policy OF either OF
tho governments to negotiate Tor tue return Of tho
ii lulnk that every mcu MS should DO taken 10 have
tho tribes return to the United States IL they be
tpduced to return and DO disarmca all danger oil hos
tilites on the frontier would close aud tho Indian
question would approach nearer a settlement
.'havo you any iooa that they coua be induced TO
return 10 this country under sucn condtions-wolld
they consent 10 be disaruedY"
..ihe SIOUX, | beevc, can DO induced to return 10
this country, but not IN week III month;
but great deal could be ccompilshed III year. IL
would NOT be possible 70 get satisfactory reply 10
any proposition that might he laid before them IN one
Or Two uays. proposition mus. be made TO them 10
by Them tho proposition - Carried 10 thor respective
bands where II is certain TO be thoroughly debated
and objections made TO H. Theso opJectons must DO
satisfactorily explained away before any could
BIZ secured. II would DO slow WORK ~ nrst but have
plenty OF faith that 1t would succeed tue end aGd
do away with dangerous clement on the border
The Apjor said. III illustrating the theory, that
was necessary 10 have subject thoroughly discussed
~ mp before any action Is taken by any oi tho
bands.
.Indiaus are independent OF each other :, said he
"Supposing that Silung Bull mad said 10 General
Terry curing the conferences ut Fort Walsh, Il viii
20 lack when the proposition MAS made 10 HIM.
aud he should have gone back 10 his village aud told
the Indians that the Americans had made PROPOSE
.ion winch be had accepted The sava.es would prob
| ably nave replied, All rights you can 20 back 80
Would !! oc possible 10 secure Tho removal Of all
| the Sioux ut Queer"
INTO our country IN small bands ana II they ever re-
turn they viii commence returning in small bands
They would probably scho lew iamilies across me
line as ceers ana wall until they see now they are,
and accordingly as they are treated wcl or badly u
will 50 encourage or discourage tho otners."
WHY II WOULD BANEFIr TuEM.
'What would be tho result OF return OK these In.
| diansfn
AZ the return OF the Sioux could BIO accom- plished
two even nvc years it would not only be bless
ing 10 them, but would provo an agreeable tning tor
the people on The frontier, aud would cause a happy
termination, 10 both canada and the nited States
OF The hostne question. II they should return they
| win necessarily be dismounicd aud dsarmed, and
once dismountod they are conquered. assume that
the United States VIII never again permit the return
| oil any armed body OF savages."
"Wnat sort OF proposition would II DO necessary
to oer the savages, IN your opn'on TO secure their
| roiurn!"
| to sitting Bull would DO accep.cd-that they should
| be allowed TO 90 upon thor reservations auo that,
win tho proceeds OF the salc oil their ponies ana
arms, cows and all necessary articles VIII DO pur-
! chased The question which would possibly Cause
the greatest dispute would be IN the location oil thor
reservations The Indians, am positive, would OBJ
tcct TO going further south than Red Cloud agency"
rs y the pocy OF the Canadian government 20 get
..Tne Canadians do not want tho Sioux, ana think
that the proper place Tor them upon the rcscrva-
TONS IN tho Uuiicd States, and they would unques-
touably ali tho persuasion ut their command III
| securing tns end. IL should BIO remembered" con-
lin ucd mo Major uthal tho sioux ouln IN Der all IN
other Indians tho northern frontier The nation ~
very numerous, aud IL well supplied with arms Tho
other tribes DO not number three or TOUR hun
drcd to each lrlbo and If they are Kept from forming
| u confederation, can he easily manueed.o
Can confederation OF all the savases north OF tho
| line be formcd-is such thinR yossibicf'
ut Is not natural 10 suppose inat tho Sioux and
Biacktcet couju become allies the sioux one
one ooly. Tho policy OF treating with the Sioux is
owing, therefore, 10 tue great strength OF this par
| ticuiar tribe"
POSSIBILITY A SOUTHWARK MOVEMENT.
"What would be the probable result II the indians
should once at,emps to move southwardy
'fhe entire American army could not prevent The
Sioux from moving upon American territory II they
made concerted movement. owing 10 the great ex-
tent OF tho frontier"
..WouId not your govern ment DO held re- ponsibIc
for any incursions OF tho sayascs south OF the line 20
II 40 not consider that our government could DO
held 20 account Tor any movement oi tho savases.
Inc government will do all It's power stop any
movement OF this character, ana would advise Tho
American government MS early as possible OF any
contemplated raia. Beyond this cannot De,icve that
anything moro would be required OF our govern
mrnIn
"Wnat will DO the effect IL tho Ncz Perccs Indians
now in lbc Dominion return TO their rcs.rvation3 r,
III Will have good effect upon tho other sava2os,
and Will probably induce others to think oil return
ing"
SITTING null DErnRoSEp
"What do you near oil any noveinants on the part OF
Sitting Buiir
.siitng BulI,' said tho MoJor, "as chiellain has
fallen IRON power Tor soac ca use lie has cont ued
to lose caste among tho savagcs since The interview
with Inc Americans, and to-day no has following
From letter received lev days ago am lold that
all the Uncpnpa ludi,n have joined tue villa u
Spotted Eagle, ana that mat warrior ~ now Tho
head man among tho hostiles. sitting Bun Is sti
loo ded little south 81 Tho cypress Hllis, and has
with him only Ave lodges, wnicn are mainly made up
OF ms own family ana reaiivcs Siltns Buil has cou-
sequentiy Loot all his former greatness
"In case these tribes couid be Induced TO como
back, would not large humUer oil the warriors refuse
to return tor fear oi being punishcdrb
~ lew might hold back, but In caso tho main body
returned 10 the reservation they would 20 sure TO io
row.
'And row, Major what Is tho prospect OF q sudden
campo ish with the redsknsyp
81 told you two mouths ago, that, IN my opinion,
there woula trouble, aud slii think that there
VIII Ue none, unless great chang taken place
since lot the uoftnoru counlry. From oil the re-
ports winch have received there v 10 pros oct Of
any change
III CONCLUSION, Major Walsh said: 81 claim, how
ever, that until The two get these hosics
OF the rontier, Tor 80 loug wan lhey remain menace
to pcaeeaUic couditloD vi aiairs on tho border"
Major Walsh VIII take charge OF large body OF re-
cruits tor the poce service AZ Duuth, aud will pro-
coed With tncm direct 10 Fort Walsh. lie VIII proDa-
ply not return to ciyi ition unless urged by
some uhtoward event, Jurng tho next Two years.
CUSTOMS COMMISSION.
large number OF witnesses were cited to appear