The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-03
REL AND HIS HALF-BREEDS.
United States Authorities Preparing to
Head Off an UnWelcOme Visitor.
A Guard To Be Placed on the Frontier to Pre-
vent His Crossing Belief that the Re-
volt Will Soon Be Suppressed.
A Possible Visitor Who Is Not wanted.


Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 2.--The United States
authorities have begun to take notice of the Reil
rebellion in Manitoba Secretary of State Bay
ard and General Sheridan have held several con-
ferences upon the subject, and have about come
to the conclusion that something must be done
by the United States to protect the northwestern
Territories from possible invasion by Riel 1t
is feared in some quarters that if the rebel lead
er is driven from his present position by the
Canadian forces he will retreat southwark
across the railroad and down the Milk river into
Montana. Riels followers are not desirable cit
liens, and they are not wanted on this side Of
the line General Sheridan is of the opinion
that Rel will be more likely to retreat in
northwesterly direction when he is dislodged,
and that there is no danger of
visit from him to the United States.
However, others who know something Of
the situation are positive that in case of re-
treat, the United States boundary line would
certainly become his objective point, and it. is
desirable to keep him out of the country. Some
precautions must be taken at once. 1t is not
certain whether, under the constitution and our
treaties with Great Britain, he can be debarred
from entering American territory. Secretary
Bayard will look into the law and another con-
ference will he held to morrow to decide upon
the course of the United States. Tt is the opin-
ion of officers Of the army that the result will be
an order directing the general commanding the
department of Dakota to place force along
the northwestern frontier to keep back the in
vaders.
The Trouble Increasing at Fort Qu'Appelle.
To the Western Associated Press.
WINNIPEG, April "A Qu'Appelle dispatch
says that the trouble at Fort Qu'Appelle is in
creasing. The Cree Indians have assembled, ana
act ugly. They came out in war-paint and
raised a hideous row. A pow-wow was held with
the agent, and they returned to the reserve but
are likely to break out again. A meeting of the
French half breeds was called today at the
mission at Qu'Appelle Colonel Herschmer is
still at Medicine Hut and will be recalled,
General Middleton being afraid that he will be
annihilated if he proceeds towards Batteford
Humboldt Station has been deserted by the
operator and the mail carriers fear descent by
the rebels The operator at Clarks Crossing is
expecting hourly to be made captive The In
dams have left Battleford. going in westerly
direction, and it is supposed they
have gone to join the Fort Pitt Indians.
There is no doubt that the position at Battleford
is very serious one, one-third of the whole
Indian population is in that district, and Colonel
Herschemer will be unable to render any assist
ance with his small force. Rers scouts have
been seen at Humboldt, $50 miles from Qu'Ap-
pelle, but nobody knows just where the rebel
leader is located.
In an interview tonight Premier Verquay ex-
plains that the Indian tribes are being led into
the rebellion by the half breeds, through Riel's
influence, but as they arc all short of supplies,
they will soon yield to the military force now being
concentrated in the field. Although valuable
lives have been sacrificed and other such sacri-
fees are sure to follow the trouble will soon be
suppressed. II am assured" said he, ''that
Riel has not more than 500 half breeds under
arms, who can easily be overpowered. just now
the Indians are invading ranches, and so long as
the stock holds out they cannot be expected to
take an active hand. That was fatal mistake
On the part Of the halfbreeds l do not think
the trouble will last long"