The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-04-24
THE OUTBREAK In THE NORTH.

"Rieps rebellion" was few weeks ago the
occasion of considerable ridicule on account
Of the supposed numerical insignincance Of
his forces, their poverty and inadequacy Of
arms and supplies. Views on this subject
have changed He seems to have concsntra-
ted equal or superior forces much more
quickly than the Canadian government. His
commissary department, such as 1t Is, is well
supplied, while his advsrsaries are on half
rations or less, and he has developed q re-
markable faculty Of augmensing his ordnance
stores from the enemy. A few weeks ago 1t
was alss the general idea that his movement
was a pillaging raid, melted only by savage
desire to plumber the country and destroy
life; but mere accurate advices have proved
that his half breed forces are composed of
settlers who have lived upon, cultivated and
improved their farms for generation, and
after years Of petitiening that their rights
thereto BE- Acknowledged and respected by
the Dominion government, have done a.
ether people under like circumstances do
established q provisional government and
resortsd to arms to maintain their rights.
While France has not hesitated to main
tain by force Of arms her obviously acquired
Tenquin possessions while England became
involved in the Egyptian war in protecting
the interests Of msney kings whs had leaned
shekels to tho spendthrift Khedive, and
while Russia and England threaten to engage
In gigantic war over the question Of . dis
puted boundary line in which the area in
volved is net worth the cost Of single ship,
the world has found Ne fault, but rather ap-
plaudsd them. Why, then, should We con-
denim these half breeds Of the North In their
courageous determination to assert their
rights to their hsmes. Even IL IL brings
them In conflict with power that can over
whelm them, they prefer to unitedly meet
the issue In the field rather than have their
lands taken from them by piecemeal by those
who win advance under military protection
with tho construction of the Canadian Pa
cifc railroad. The facts seem to be that all
the equities are on the side Of these half
breed settlers, whose rights have been per-
sistently ignored Or denied by the Dominion
government for many years. What IL they
are half breeds? The government has pro.
ucunced just and approved precisely the
snme claims by the same class OF people In
other provinces. Why should they be the
exceptional victims to official stupidity or
personal rapacity. They have NO title except
occupancy. They see other lands under like
conditions leased out In vast areas to cattle
growers. They ssticipate . like fate, and
they resolve to resist 1t or perish We do not
know much Of Rieis character; IL In dis
puted matter. But the advices come that he
was sent for BY these people, who had conf-
dence In him 10 advise and direct them that
petition proving unavailing, he organized |
provisional government for resistance that |
his forces did not attack the mounted police,
ont successfully resisted attack, and that ne !
murder, pillage or rapine has occurred except
10 violation Of his orders and efforts to pre-
vent it. II n urfartunstn c,~ Mr., "a g.