The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-27
THE APACHE QUESTION.
What the Governor of Arizona Thinks of
GenearI Crooks Policy.
San Francisco ChronicIa

What the Governor of Arizona Thinks of
GenearI Crooks Policy.
San francisco Chronicle.
In regard to the recent Apache troubles
Governor Trtle explained General Crooks
policy, which ne approves.
Crooks theory is this" said the Governor:
THE Apaches have been committing depre-
datons in ali parts of Arizona, New Mexico
and in Old Mexico, but there is no way of
fixing the responsibility upon any particular
Apache; consequently if you kilt one you
must kill them all. 1t is only year since
Crook was assigned to the command in the
Territory and the improvement in the con-
dition of the Apaches on the reservation
since then has been remarkable. They have
always done more or less in the way of agri-
culture, but this year they will raise three
or four times larger crop than any year
heretofore None of the Indians, with one
or two exceptions, have left the reservation
since Crook has been in command, and those
who committed depredations during the
past few months are composed of Apaches
who left the reservation when it was under
Tiffany's management and bands from Chi
huahua and Sonora. Crooks influence over
the savages is wonderful, but it is attributa-
BILE to mis- dealing squarely with them. His
fame as a fighter has long been known to
them and they fear him. In addition to this
he has always kept faith with them and they
know that when he promises anything he
will keep his word"
'How do the people of the Territory view
the policy of Crook"
"Well, that is easily answered. They re-
gard the General as their savior, and will feel
perfectly safe if, as the government has de-
cided to do, the Indians are placed under his
control; that is to say while the agent, Will
cox, is nominally in charge and attends to
the finances and provisions of the reserva-
tions Crook will keep police guard of SOL
diers over the Apaches. That the Indians
will prosper under these circumstances there
is no question, and if any of them should
attempt to leave, the commandant would
at once be informed as there are quite
number of spies among them. Many people
do not believe that an Indian will keep his
word, but that is a mistake. While the ma
jority of the race are treachercus, there are
many who can be trusted Take, for instance,
the case of the Indian called Peaches. He
was under sentence of death, and, without
being promised Communication of the SEN
tence, he guided Crook and his troops to the
stronghold of the Indians in the Sierra
Madre mountains, while, had he chosen to
break his faith with Crook he could have
ambushed and massacerd the whole COM
mand. / do MOI" said Governor Tritle, by
way of explanation, wish to be understood
as saying that the people of Arizona will be
entirely satisfied with having the renegades
sent back to the reservation, because there
are at present ABOUT O,UUO ADacneS-DuckS,
squaws and children-there, and there is SO
much worthless and barren land on the re-
rervation that it is not capable of furnishing
sustenance to more than about $500. At
the same time, if the government will not
remove the surplus to some other reserve
the people will feel safe to have them on the
reserve and under the watchful eye of
Crook The watch, however, will have to be
very strict, as fully one-half OF them will be
idle all the time, and an idle Indian is al
ways brewing mischief 1t is only the idle
Apache that ever goes on the war-path.
They are a peculiar race, and as soon as
one of them acquires sufficient property to
maintain himself and squaw he becomes
conservative, and will not join ralding par
ties.'
Governor Tritle stated that he felt assured
that as soon as the news reached the Apaches
who have not come in that they can go back
on the reservation, Juh and the remaining
hostiles, who do not exceed, all told over
fifty or sixty braves will come in and bring
Charlie McComas with them