The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-04-09
THE REEL REBBtLIoN.

Almost every day the telegraph brings
to our readers news of the progress OF
what is now called the Northwest Re
bellion, and yet the cause Of the war
owing, perhaps, to the abundance OF
news concerning the Eastern troubles,
the Barrios war, and other exciting
topics-has never been fully explained
70 Western readers.
The territory over which the Reil dis
affection has spread extends. as nearly as
can be located on our geography maps.
from the 28th to the 35th merIdians
counting from Washington, or from the
1854 to the 10th beginning with the
greenwich meridian. and extends north
short distance beyond the Saskatche
wan river, OF about $50 miles
from the United States boundary
line. The total population of
this territory Is variouslY estimated
from $4,000 to 10000. about three-Eourths
OF whom are Indians.
Like most instructions and wars the
| outbreak Is due to several causes. One
thing that fastened the rebellion is the
belltgerent chacter of the half breed lea
der Reil. Reil was educated for
the priesthood but aspoused the cause of
his halt-breed breathern in 1865, and
when defeated fed to the United States
to save his head. Having been promised
protection he recently returned TO his
people and now leads them again in a
more formidable rebellion.
Another and the more immediate
cause is the dissatisfaction in referance to
the land titles. 10 the half-breeds
the Indian nature predomina
ties and consequently they are
very fond of hunting. Several
years ago they occupied fine farms much
farther east than at present, but as the
country became more settled they dis
posed of their agricultural lands and
moved farther west. The Dominion gov
eminent very wisely put check on their
rowing disposition in its last land grant
by making the contract so read that their
lands would not be transferable. At the
same time the witty half breeds claim
that as they hold no titles for their lands,
the government may at any time cause
their removal. Since the return of Rel the
half breeds have been holding mass
meetings and stirring up a rshellious
spirit. At a large meeting In Septem-
Der at which Reil presided, a bill
of rights was drawn up and according
TO them was sent to the government, but
according 10 the prime minister this was
never received at Ottawa, the Canadian
capital. Although the declaration of
rights never reached the prime minister,
1t was extensively published, but, of
course, was never considered by the
government. Their bill being ignored,
the Aaf-breeds became more and more
independent, and. urged on by Rel,
soon broke out in open rebellion.
The following requests made up the
bill of rights: ~ The subdivision into
provinces of the Northwest Territory
| (2) the half breeds to receive the same
grants and other advantages as the Man
ltoba half breeds; (3) patents to be issued
at once TO the colonists in possession; az
the sale of million acres of Dominion
lands, the proceeds to be applied to the
establishment IN the halt. breed settle
ments OF schools, hospitals and such
like Institutions, and to the equipment
of the poorer halEbreeds with seed
grain and implements; (5) the reserva-
ton of a hundred townships of swamp
lands for distribution among the half
breed children during the next 100 years I;
(6) a grant of money for the maintenance
of an institution to be conducted by the
nuns in each half breed settlement; and
~ better provisions for the support of
the Indians.
The first engagement of the rebellion
occurred on the 9th of Msrch in which
Reil's forces compelled Maj. Crozier to
retreat to fort with several killed and
wounded. Encouraged by this victory
the half-breeds have been Joined by the
Indians, and the rebellion has now
| gained SO strong Toot-hold that it will
cost great deal of money and many
lives to put II down. Reil is said to
have disguised himself as ar. Indian, en-
ployes telegraph operator in order to
ascertain the movements of the govern
ment and many devices and cunning
wavs to gain his end.