Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-04
GEN. NELSON A. MILES.
THE GREAT INDIAN TIGHTER IN ST.
PAIL
His Views Upon the Indian Problem--Be-
heves Thorn Susceptible Of Civilization
Condemns the Present Policy as Extrava-
giant and Detrimental to Both the White
and the Red Man.

The Metropolitan hetel register last night
bore the name IN. A. miles, o. S. A." In full
significance, Brevet Major General Nelson A.
Miles. Colonel Fifth United States Infantry.
General Miles name has of late years been
SO intimately connected with Indian affairs on
the frontier, even though the hours were creep
ing minute by minute towards new day, a
GLOBE man could not and did not resist the
opportunity to discuss the situation with him.
The general surrendered at the summons on
card, and put himself at the disposal of the
GLOBE. The interview was conducted in
casual way, and advantage was taken of the
generals full knowledge of the Indian problem
and character to permit the conversation to
take wide scope.
The issue was brought by the following ques-
ton:
Glow are Indian matters with you at Fort
Keogh?"
Cali quiet, and have been SO all the sum-
mer.'
'sThe 18th of last month you had bit of
scare, did you not?"
Yes; at first it was supposed the fugitive
Southern Cheyennes were in the vicinity, but
soon it was discovered that the party consisted
OF only few lodges of Sioux who had broken
away from their agency
This is further confirmation of General
Gibbons belief. At tho time, the affair was
! currently mentioned with adverse criticism
against General Gibbons
What do You think of The transfer of the
Indian bureau to the war Department.
Il don't think it will be done.''
but it ought to be?"
II don't think it will be from the simple
fact that great influence will be brought to
bear to retain it in the interior department.
Uquf1 af Lana III
effort to secure the transfer. In the first place
the army feel that they are not interested to
such an extent az to seek the transfer; then
again it is without the province of the army to
NEEDLE in the matter. Whatever is done the
army will acquiesce in.
But your opinion as to the advisability-?"
AS to the ACCESSIBILITY of it there can be no
question. The army should have exclusive con-
troll OF the Indians. Such a policy would be
for their benefit as well as for the nation at
large. In this matter, the only interest the
army has, is, that having control, they could
and would prevent the reoccurrence of Indian
wars. believe army control would be bene-
fiicial both to the government and Indian. The
advantages enjoyed by the army to fulfil these
requirements, are first, the system of accounta-
bility, which obtains in the department.
1t Is a system which has been perfected through
agement of Indian supplies and annuities. this
system would be applied to the advan-
tage of the Indian and the government.
Again, army officers of experience, standing and
| rank would be given charge. The selection of
Indian agents at present in way would COM
pare with such officers furnished from the
army
The general enlarged upon this point and
stated the well known fact that Indian agents
are low salaried officials, appointed for a short
time, and that good men for the price-the
| abstract salary-could not be induced to bury
&Hay,s al III
would have to go where ordered
| and again had the advantage of
an honorable position for life The
inducement "to make in the former case was
evident. The army officer was both re-
strained from the inclination to do so by his
| ife-positlon and the system of accountability
| imposed.
Again." continued the general. ''if the
army had control, the Indians would be kept
| at peace. Now the foment of war and the dis
turbance leading to an outbreak is never known
| to the army. The first intimation comes in the
| outbreak itself. Then war is declared against
all, men, women and children. If the army
had charge the first intimation of a disturb
ance could be quelled, the malcontents sub
jected to restraint, and the expense and blood
attending war wholly obviated. The mill
tary are called in at the last hour when the
| trouble which has been temporized could have
been suppressed in its incipiency.'
You entertain hopes, then, that the
transfer will be made?''
II have no hopes about it, smilingly re-
marked the gentleman. II don't believe it
will be done. Ihe Indian bureau is a political
machine, and adds too much strength and I'M
| portance to the department of the interior to
be abandoned without struggle; and there ia
| nobody struggling to get it. The army isn't"
"Well sir, the Indian problem is vexed
question anyway"
II don't see why it should be. 1t all rises
1ISf4 ken rafha
| all. These savages must be subjected to some
system of control. They are not.
With every change of administration
comes a change in the Indian
| policy. The Indian commissioner is a new
| man, and his agents are new men. Four wears
brings about this revolution. Not infrequently,
| in fact generally, the Indian commissioner
| and his suloordinates know nothing about Indi-
| ans. Never saw any except in front of cigar
| stores. Men are sent to agencies wholly I'M
| acquainted with the country, the requirements
of their wards etc. When they begin to real
| This unsettles the Indians, of course. One
agent will tell them one thing; the new one has
+ a different story to relate. The Indian
| is naturally suspicious, and his mistrust is be-
coming rapidly standing disaffection. In
| this connection, can readily see how the trust
! could and would be better managed by army
| officers.
In further considering and canvassing this
phase of the subject, General Miles was of the
firm opinion that the savages respected physical
force. The army was the exponent of the gov
ernment's forco. Man in no state was gov
erned by moral suasion. Even in our
cities, among civilized communities we
/ required police. The unruly
and unframed spirits of the Indians needed the
| wholesome menace of such force constantly
before them-untiI they advanced in civiIiza-
| ton.
Civilization, general; can an Indian be civ
| ilized?''
| 'sWhy not? The trouble has been that our
| people want to smother him with it, and will
not permit him to come at it gradually. Not
taking it as we prescribe, we have carried on a
! cruel, relentless war of determination against
the Indian. Since the days of King Phillip,
200 years ago. we have followed the same plan,
have learned nothing
General Miles then explained his scheme for
| the redemption and civilization of the abor-
igines; the pastoral plan. The general was
the hrst officer who ever recommended that
the Indian should be treated according to ma
ture. he was savage, the first step in the
herdsman-froD that he could be indicted
into agriculture and other pro-
gressive arts. This pastoral plan has been
| tried with eminent and UNMARRIED success In
several instances. The Navajos, of New Mexi-
CO, are pastoral, and even manufacturing
people. Among some of the Cheyennes their
ponies have been sold, the proceeds invested in
cattle, and they take great interest in theil
stock. General Miles has adopted the same
plan with his captives Nez Perces, Bannocks
Cheyennes and Sioux at Fort Keogh. They are
centented. 1t is no degradation for an Indian
ito tend stock, but his soul revolts at the