The Wilmingtonian., 1885-06-27
GERONIMO AND OTHERS,

Gus topics of foreign or local
interest engrossing public attention we
find little opportunity of noticing the cry
for help that comes from the far Western
territories whose frontiers are ravaged by
bands of marauding Indians. Yet it is a
fact that hundreds of our fellow citizens are
at this moment in daily risk of their lives
through the inadeqnacy OF the United States
troops stationed there, to afford them that
protection to which they are entitled.
Reference is not made to trespassers OF
the "Oklahoma boomer stripe" The peace
ful settlers, squatters and farmers of Arizo-
ua, are being ruthlesSly murdered in their
homes by detached bands OF Apachcs.
Their families, wives and children are sub
jected to all the ingenious cruelties and OK
cesses for which the rowing bands of Gero-
nimo and Victoria have made themselves
notorious throughout New Mexico and Ari-
zona. Those Of the settlers who are fortu-
nate enough to have been warned of the
proximity of the marauders, are hurredy
leaving their homes and crowding to the
frontier towns and military posts. The
United States forces in the vicinity are, nu-
mericaily, entirely unable to cope with the
difficulty. Quite ignorant of the country
they cannot follow the fleet-footed Apaches
who are acquainted with every hill and val
ley and are embarrassed with no impedi-
ment while on the war path.
The newspapers of those territories are
crying aloud for help. Some in despair of
aid from Washington advise the citizens to
take matters in their own hands, counselling
them even to march into the reservations of
those Indians who have not already broken
loose and shoot them down.
1t is difficult for us to condemn such
counsel. Were Ne in their situation it is
probable there would not be much hesita-
tton in taking the initiative.
The Arizona Tombstone says, ''The Indian
question must be settled once and forever,
and the only way to do it is to kill every
one of them. Let the people arm them
selves and go to the reservation and destroy
the very last red devil of them"
The writer, undoubtedly, is thoroughly in
earnest, and represents the sentiment of his
neighbors.
There is one palpable fact, however, and
it is this that whatever the cost may be, it
is the immediate duty Of the Government at
Washington to protect the settiers- e.4 tl.s
Arizona frontiers The responsibility OF
the death of every man, woman and child
killed by Geronimos bands of Apaches is on
the head of the authorities at the capitol.
If the soldiers are insufficient for frontier
duty, the only alternative is to get more
soldiers We are at war with no foreign ma.
tion, and there is no immediate probability
of it. A half dozen soldiers, in fact less
are quite sufficient to do all the military
duty needed east of the Mississippi river.
The whole of our little army of $4,000 men
should be sent West, Let the Washington
''ofiicial pets" go along with them and fight
Indians.
For many years now they have done
naught but grace official receptions They
have an opportunity at this moment of win
ming their spurs as other than carpe
knights OF what use are United States
troops at Vancouver's Island or in Floridai
Better send them to protect our citizens il
Arizona
We should take example from Canada in
the matter of Indian wars. There the exec
utive, Immediately Riel's rebellion broke
out, bent their whole energies to the busin-
ess of suppressing the trouble. Every aid
) was afforded the commanding General. The
whole trouble was instantly recognized al
serious. Troops and guns were senC to tie
) front with unlimited supplies and military
carte blanche in regard to methods of cam
: paign.
General Middleton was unhampered, Ii,
: was given all he needed. TT c result of sucl
vigorous methods is that the rebellion is al
: ready practically over and those Of the reb
els who are not captured or killed have TAX
en- flight. The Canadian General had ;
much more difficult impenetrable and ex
tensive country to hunt Indians than ou
g troops in New Mexico and Arizona have
! North and West of Batoche the country il
). literally terra incognita. Yet the half
, breeds have been brought quickly into sub
lection, the Dominion law has been vindica
!; ted and there will probably not be heard TO
( some time of any mole rebellion. The Ca
: madam government did not dodge the ques
e tion by any squeamish peace policy. 7,
e vlndicate the law and order lives had to b,
: sacrificed. Soldiers and citizens fell an,
died.
{ A similar policy it appears is the onl.
! one that would show good results with ou
Indians in the extreme Western Reserva
tions.
Some may say that even Indians hav