The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-04-20
INDIAN DISSATISFACTION.
Moses Complains of an Injustice and In
trusion by the Whites.


PORTLAND, Or, April 9.-Trouble Is
feared with the Indians on Chief Moses res
srvstion. Chief Moses arrived at military
headquarters last week with complaints that
the government had taken from his PEG
pie 1900 square miles of land, part Of the
reservation granted by President Fl yes,
March 0. 1880, In the big bend of the Columbia
River. General Miles, Commander of this
Department, who returned from the East ten
days ago, left again by the Oregon, which sail
ed at five this morning. An Oregonian re-
porter secured the following interview just
bef,re the steamer left the dock:
"What are the feelings Of Moses and his
followers relative to the action of President
Arthur in throwing open part oftheir reserva-
t.on?"
"Qf course, Moses feels bad about IL. His
followers have believed that he had much In.
fue nee with the President, and thi. recent
action forces them into the conviction that
their chief has lost his power. He has en-.
emies who are jealous of him, and they will
not hesitate TO use this TO break down his
leadership, and some or his own men are
dissatisfied. Moses complains that one of
bis best friends, one Jim, was killed recently
by the whites, aud they want to be reveng
| ed"
"Do you fear troutle?.'
mo; do not think they will fight. Mos
es has been friendly to the Government and
restrained his followers during the Neg Per
ce war. If they are paid q nominal sum for
the land thrown open, they will be satisfied.
From conversation with him yesterday, |
think $4,000 would satisfy them. They
have no idea how much $4,000 is, so said
1t would be Thousand ponies, and that Is
more than he ever saw at one time"
"Have you provision TO check an out break,
should one occur?"
"Yes, two companies have been sent to.
ward the reservation and will be In readiness
to move If they are needed"
"Wbat action should the Government take
In the matter of securing permanent psace?"
81 do not think 1t proper TO express my
self in the newspapers on this question. |
have telegraphed nv recommendations to the
department. and it would be In bad taste for
me to even appear to be manufacturing public
sentiment for the Endorsement of my views.''
"What do you think Moses will do?'
"He will probably start horne Tuesday
morning. He may oe called to Washington
this summer for conference, and the matter
will no Doubt be satisfactorily adjusted
there"
"But suppose his followers and their enc
mics begin fighting among themselves"
81 do not fear such results
"And If Moses cannot restrain his people.
and they attempt revenge for breach Of
faith on the part of the Government, what
them"
"They number about three hundred all
told"
"Would the other tribes probably aid
them?"
"They might be joined by the C,lvilles.
Spekanes, Cnur d'Alenes and Yakimss, but
think the whole matter will be peacefully
adjusted"
Chief Moses came TO Portland this after
noon and expressed to some old friends here
Iha. he did not believe he would be able to
restrain his tribe unless the new order was
rescinded. The original grant made by Pres
ident Hayes, after the summers conference
with Moses in Washington, was a bunsltng
affair. Soon after Moses moved his people,
on the reservation, the discovery was mad"
that twenty-one white men had flied claims
on some valuable mining land in the reser
yution, aud they would not move of OF be
driven Off. However they did not modest
the Indians, and the latter have stood with
good grace what they considered an iutru
sion of the whites. On the ODD of February
last, President Arthur, by an official order,
restored to the public domain a strip seven.
teen miles wide and one hundred miles.
long This was done without conference
with Moses or his people. They heard the
news about two weeks ago, and Moses i'm
'medateiy come here.