New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-04
CEVEPdL CROOK,S REPORT.

GENER1L tNOOh NEfOhI
The especial value Of General Crooks annual
report lies in its suggestive review %! the actual
results attained by the Apachcs during their
first year of entire peace. The Apaches have
been held up rs utterly irreclaimable. Those
who have never troubled themselves to ex-
anime into the causes of Southwestern Indian
outbreaks have cited each instance as evidence
that the Apaches must be treated like danger
ons wild animals. Those who have studied the
history Of Southwestern Indian affairs know
that the tale of the nine years from 1878 to
1882 is for the most part to be summarized as
a chapter of plumbers. 1t was II blunder to
make special treaty with the fierce Chircahua
tribe some twelve years ago and to assign the
Chircahuas separate reservation whence they
could raid into Mexico. It was a bundcr to
allow the incessant wranging between military
officers and Indian agents. II was blunder
to give the Apaehes good reason for distressing
the promises of Government officials. There
were blundcrs in the methods employed for
policing the reservation, for administering
Justice and for managing the relations between
Indians and settlers. And the fatal blunder
was committed Of allowing the majority of the
Indians to live in idleness. There were blum
ders even in the half-hcarted but expensive
attempts mt excavatng irrigating bitches, made
some eight years ago.
As natural result, General Crook, returning
to the Department of Arizona in 1882, found
the Apaches suspicious and restless, while some
were upon the warpath. His courageous pur-
suit of the hostile Chiricahuas into the Sierra
Malre and his sagacious changes in the man
agement OF the reservation put an end to all
bloodshed and regained the confidence of the
Indians. In his first year he repaired past
injuries in his second year he has produced
results of the utmost significance. The
Apaches have learned to work. The men no
longer delegate all labor to the squaws, but
more than half the work of the past year has
been done by men and boys, encouraged by the
certainty of cash market for their surplus
products ut the military posts on the rescrva-
ton. Notwithstanding the peculiar difficulties
of farming IN Arizona, and certain unlocked
for drawbacks, the Apachcs have raised nearly
four million pounds OF corn, over half a
millions pounds of barley AMI other cereals,
with vegetables and fruits in proportion. Tho
famous war chiefs, Geronimo and Chato, who
Only two years ago were the most formidable OF
the h0stilcs, are reported this year ito have
"made the greatest progress and to possess the
" best titled farms" We commend the consider
alton of these facts to those who hold that the
ONLY good Indian is a dead Indian" In view OF
these results, we hope for aprOmpt acqulescence
in General Crooks requests for farming tools
and seeds, the erection of one or two mills, ana
tbc establishment of additional trading stores.
Nothing should DO allowed to retard the trans
formation of these Indiana from worthless IdlerS
to working men supporting themselves inhe-
nendcntly of the Government. General Crook
repeats his recommendation Tor the eniran-
chisemcnt of the Apache, but not until he be
competent to hold land in severalty and be
taught how to utilize it for his own support"
Only one case of characterization has Oc-
Cured, and the offender was arrested by Apache
policemen, tried and found guilty by an Apache
Jury, and sent to E. California prison. This
excellent system of self government has proved
an entire success. 1t is clear that the military
officers in immediate charge of the reservation
are entitled to General Crooks hearty com
mcndations, and the experiment of responsible
military control appears striking improve
mcnt upon the old plan of divided authority.
Now that these Indians have enjoyed the re-
wards of labor. have learned to trust the white
mans words, and have acquired seli-respect
from the privilege of self government, we snail
probably hear no more of hostllites due to
Apaches from the San Carlos Reservation.
General Crook has pronounced these Indians
"probaby The worst on the continent" and they
have been responsible for many dark crimes IN
the past. But we think that much of the blood
she'd and destruction of the last fourteen years
would never have occurred had General Crook
been allowed to remain in Arizona from 1878 to
the present time.