Omaha daily bee., 1883-06-20
CEN. CROOK TALKS.
Some Facts Concerning His Re-
cent Expedition Into Mexi-
can Wilds.
His Views Regarding the Disposal
of the Captured Apaches.
4 Pen Picture of the General.

FoRT BOWIE, Ariz., June 17.-There
is Il tacit understanding that the Chirica-
huas will be allowed to 60 back on the
reservation under certain restrictions,
without military or civil trial. Should
this plan he carried out the army officers
believe that the Indian troubles are
ended. The majority of the Indians ex-
press themselves weary of a life of con-
slant warfare. The day after old Loco
went to Gen. Crooks camp he stated that
the previous night was the only one in
which he had slept soundly since leaving
the agency year and half ago. Some
of the bucks have not been here before
for ten years, 1t has been limited that If
the interior department refuses to receive
the Chiricahuas, serious trouble is sure to
result. Last night Gen. Crook called all
the Indians together and made them a
short speech He said they would pro-
ceed to the reservation. When they got
there he hoped they would settle down
quietly to work on their farms and would
invest their money in cattle and other
stock. He spoke for some time in this
strain, but made no special reference to
the Chiricahuas. The Indians signified
their approval of the speece. In an in
terview Gen. Crook said:
| after the raid last spriug | was satisti-
ed that the Chiricuhuas were planning an
other invasion, which would have been
far more destructive to life and property
than the first one. Now you cannot
catch an Indian on raid. | don't care
how good the troops are in pursuit, they
can never catch him. | was satisfied the
only way was to find the Indians strong
hold and attack that, and l determined
to follow them into the mountains before
they could pour out again. l went to
Sonora and Chihuahur and consulted
with the military authorities. AT Sonora
they were willing for me to make the ex-
pedtition. At chihuahua did not get as
much satisfaction, but they did not put
obstacles in my way. Then | came
back and organized the expedition, not
knowing with certainty that our troops
would be allowed to cross the line.
There was great risk in entering Mexico
as did. The march was a perlous one,
and we had only one man with us who
knew anything of the country. How
much he knew he could not be sure; but
the raids could be stopped in no other
them at all hazards. Some days we
could not possibly make march Of more
than eight miles There was plenty of
water, but no game. If the Indians had
surprised us, don't suppose many would
have come back to tell the story.
When we penetrated into their strong
holds the fight was practically won.
THE WAY TO BEAT THE INDIANS
| t,,u "a, I,n,,
You get the bulge on them and they
stampede worse than Texas cattle. 1t
turned out rs supposed. Many of them
had been out almost underduress. There
is absolutely nothing for them to eat in
{ the mountains, and they had to raid in
Sonora and Chihpuhua for cattle, but
were forced to cross the line to obtain
ammunition. few years of this sort of
life will make the bravest of them weary,
and it was not remarkable to find that q
majority were anxious to get back to the
reservation. | never doubted my scouts.
They were IA little nervous at first, but
they got over that. | don't
believe the Mexican troops would
be able to handle the Indians
if they remained in their country. Some
how the Mexican troops never seem to
get into close quarters with the Indians.
| could not find that any had been killed
in that fight, where it was claimed that
eleven were killed. Indeed, think the
Mexican plan of fighting Indians is mis-
take. They kill the women and children,
which only leaves the bucks in better
shape to fight. expected we would
have to go further south to find the hos
tiles. There is no doubt but that Geron-
imo and the other chiefs will return from
Mexico. Old Geronimo is probably the
most able and influential chief among
them, and he said to me, Il give myself
up to do what you please with think
we shall
GET OLD JUH IN THE END,
though he has not been with the main
body for months. 1t is also almost GER
tain that we will get little Charley Nc
Comas alive and well If ever an at
tempt is made to remove the Apaches to
the Indian Territory there will be another
Indian war, but hardly think the peo-
pie of Arizona are so anxious for their re-
moval. The Chiricahuas are not hopeless
ly bad. They would be better if they
had not been allowed to raid into Mexico
ten years ago on condition that they
should not molest the people of the Ter
rtory. Their excuse for leaving the re-
servation the last time was that
they were not treated properly. My
policy in regard to them is simply to send
them to the reservation; if the interior
department refuses to receive them then
it will be responsible for whatever hap
pens. For a century almost the Apaches
have been lshmaelites, with their hands
against every one, and every ones hand
against them. Now their last stand has
been made, and the last war-like band
wants peace. Peace would enable some
of the troops now in Arizona to be re-
moved. With matters in this condition
! don't believe the department is ready to
say the Chiricahuas shall not go back to
the reservation.
Tucson, June 19.-Gen. Crook and
staff arrived this evening. The popula-
tion greeted him enthusiastically.
|