Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-10
RIELs REBELLION.
INDIANS CAUSING ALARM.

The Bioods enc Pfeaens 80 on We W."
sssb-Fers Mcleod Tsre.sesed and . Cen
ssai Uprislss Of Isdtsss-
An Ottawa telegram Of Wednesday
says: There appears to be general
feeling Of alarm all over the Northwest
owing TO tho suspicious movements OF
the Indians. Yesterday it was an
nounced that the Bloods and Piegxns
in the vicinity Of Calgary were becom-
ing uneasy, and to-day the Government
received telegram from Major-Gcneral
Strange stating that they are all moving
southwark to join the American indians,
who have already commenced crossing
over. The combined strength OF these
two hostile tribes numbers 3, 200 braves.
General Strange AXIS that troops be sent
to Fort Mcleod Immediately. The In
dams in Qu'Appelle Valley are BY no
means contented. Fears are entertained
that they will give trouble while the
troops are going UP north. Wild ru-
mors are coming in from Wood Noun
tain, Moore Mountain, and Turtle
Mountain Of an uprising Of Indians
and half-breeds along the frontier.
Official reports state that the whole
Northwest is thoroughly demoralized,
and that the farmers will do
little or no sowing this spring, more
especially in Qu'Appelle, BAttleford,
and Prince Albert districts. Ever since
the outbreak Of the rebellion the De-
partment Of the Interior here has
been busily engaged in settling
claims of settlers in the North
west. Many of these claims have
been outstanding for three years, and
people were beginning to despair OF
ever getting them settled. The Minis
ter Of the Interior, however, has
thought better OF it, and has now tele-
graphed q number of dissatisfied par
ties that their demands will be acceded
to between now and May LIST. A mum
Der Of these claims lie in Fort Nc
Leod and MediOine-Hat district. Had
the claims of halfbreeds, many Of
which Sir John Macdonald admitted
were reasonable, been attended to by
the Department, the present rebellion
would have been averted.
Judge Rslleau telegrsphs from Swift
Current that he arrived there on the
9th instant from Battleford with his
family. He states that his house was
plundersd by the Indians, and that he
is now not worth q dollar.
A Winnipeg telegram says: There is
no use in Disgusting the fact longer.
Fort Mcleod is threatened and an In
dian uprising cannot longer be pre-
vented. Special dispatches received BY
courier at volunteer headquarters from
Mcleod have given great uneasiness.
Beyond doubt Indians are north OF the
international boundary on the warpath.
South Piegans and Bloods have I'M
doubtedly formed an alliance. Tobacco
sent some time ago from Riel's Indians
TO the Gros Ventres Indians was &C
cepted by the latter, thus showing that
Riel has laid deep conspiracy, in
which the Milk-Riyer Indians will play
an important part. Women and children
and those not capable Of bearing arms
are flocking to Fort Mcleod for pro-
lection. General Strange is in constant
communication with the threatened
points. and is doing his utmost to put
everything in this district on defensive
basis. The Blackfeet did not meet
Captain Cotton to-day according to
agreement, and this looks ominsus.
The situation is now moro serious than
ever, as it was thought that the major
ity Of the Indians would not assist the
rebels. Riel, however, must have
known they would before he declared
rebellion. The Ottawa Foot Guards
and the Toronto Grensdiers went to
the seat Of war this afternoon.
A Toronto special says; Major
Walsh, FIRST commander of the North
west mounted police, who is probably
the best authority in Canada on North
west matters, in An interview with s
reporter at Brockville, said: 1.-The
continuance Of the rebellion largely de-
Ponds upon the assistance Rel gets
from the Indians. If they decline to
assist the halfbreeds think Riel and
those NEST implicated will escape across
the line into the United States and
others will retire to their homes. |
firmly believe an Indian rising can be
sverted by engaging every well-disposed
Indian in the Government service and
paying him for his loyalty as General
Miles has repeatedly done in the
United States. A commission to inquire
into the halfbreed claims should have
been sent out long ago and got to work
at once. What great credit would it
DO 10 Canada to kill few poor half
breeds, who feel that they have been
neglected? These people have the SYM
patty Of the white settlers in their
treatment by the Dominion Govern
msnt. These people are not rebels.
but they are demanding justice" Ma
jor Walsh said General Middleton, who
il commander Of the forces in the
Northwest, probably understands the
science Of war rs practiced in Europe
better than any other man in Canada,
but on the Northwest plains, with the
Indians, he is pilgrim.