Arizona weekly citizen., 1885-10-24
The Prayer of Arizona.


 In these troublous times, when sll our hearts are sore over the murder oi our fellow citizens and sick with the deferred hope of the United States army capturing or killipg the thirty-four hostile Apscbes (the number claimed by the military to be on the var-pathl afser nearly a five months' campaign, it is hard to pause and dispassionstely con- slider the situstlon. But this we wish to do while ve arrsign General Crook at the bar of pubic opinion and state the charges, and the substantisting facts against him
 When in 'S3 General Crook vas led into ambush in the Siefrs Msdres by tae treschery of the Indian scouts, in consideration of 6 safe return for him- self and troops hs promised the rene gades like immunity from danger on EheIr return to San Carlos and . con- donement for past offences. He then pledged his soldierly word to the gov erument, in consideration of its rstify- ing this unhappy compact, that the Indians would remain upon the rsservs- tion. A too indulgent government ac- cepted the gage. but placed at Crooks command the privilege of policing the reservation that he might compel Ger onimo's observance of the compact The sad result of his stubborn trust in h. dian faith is too painful for contem- plation.
 Again permitted to lead the army against his former foe tor friend-God only knows which he dreads to again encounter the danger and hsrdships of the Sierra Madres; he scatssrs troops along the frontier water holes, sends c score or 90 of the hostiles' own blood and belief to trail them through Mexi- co. and sits quietly down at Fort Bowie to await the coming to his arms of Ger opimo ss he comes back to the reserve ton from his regular biennial picnic. How foolish was the thought that the Indian scouts would track their breth ren, excep: when they wanted to give them government smm nniti0n, is shown by the oarrenness of the movement; how murderOusly inefficient was the water hole guard IS eloquently told by the tongues that are forever mute.
 The above are facts which neither friend nor foe of General Crook can de- ny or question. They are mentioned first to prove in advance the general charge of his irefficiency. No man ever engaged in any undertaking has been known to commit 90 many fatal blum ders, the avoidance of any one of which might have prevented or ended the present outbreak.
 His first mistake was in TT king the Sierra Madre compact witt jeronimo. As the lives of bimself and command depended upon his scquiescence in the demands of the Apsohs Napoleon, he may be forgiven that blunder.
 His second mistake was trust in the faith of 6 savage and unsubdued mur- derer when life and property on the en- tire frontier wer st stake
 His third mistake was in not suf- ficiently policing the reservation His forth mistake was in reflsInR to heed the authentic information that the outbreak was intended.
 His fifth mistake, his declining to avail himself of all the troOps thsti might bs ne sdsd.
 Ills sixth mistake. and the most fatal of all, is his insane belief and trust in Indian scouts.
 His seventh mistake was in supposing that with few troops. scattered st vster-holes miles spart, hs could pre- vent the renegsdes from crossing and re-crossing the border st their own sweet will and murdsring whom they please on both sides of the line. His eighth mistake is in acting the msrtinet with the subordinates and rs- quiring from the gallant young oficerI under his command e rigid following of his orders to that extent that they may not follow fresh trail nor their own manly desires to qusll the savsges. These are the blunders of General Crooks that are patent to all, or sus- ceptible of pr -Oi. and surely arc good cause for the general discontent that prevails. His subordinstcs feel humi Hated. and scarcely care to conceal theil dissatisfaction. The opinion is firmly established that ''he has eli the tEoopl he needs" As he Is not nearly able C handle those he has.
 This campaign would be . pitifu farce were 1t not SD awful tragedy. w, have but one hope of relief, and thsi lies ID the speedy chsnge-in the com mandershIp of the department Wher President Cleveland promised us thsi the Indian troubles must stop, his words came as "the shadow of Q great rock 1T a weary land" If he does not wish hii words to become Q wanting he, be mus give us the change asked for. No of ficer in the army could do worse ana there are few but could do better. h the name of God and humanity we prsl