Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-04
aERoxnMo.s PATE


BUT THE GOVERNMENT, UNDER THE oovpl-
rIoNs ACCEPTED Br GEN. MILES, WILL NOT
LET THE CHIEF BE suRRKNpEREp-GEN.
xILKs PoLrcY DIscUssEp.
1t is learned at the War department that no
action has yet been taken with regard 10 the
surrender OF Geronimo's band, and that no
communication has been sent to Gen. Miles
since the order to forward full particulars OF
the terms OF surrender II rests with the Presi-
dent and Secretary Of War To decide whether
Gen. Miles annual report affords Information
dennite enough 10 warrant official action re-
gardlng the disposition Of the renegades. Gen.
Miles has not been summoned 10 Washington,
nor has any action been taken looking TO q
court Of inquiry In the mater.
His report shows that the surrender was q
conditional one, but 1t ts thought that there
may nave been strong reasons tor accepting IL
notwithstanding the fact that IL was in direct
opposition 10 the policy OF the President The
surprising part Is that Gen. Miles gives no
reasons Tor his action The authorities here are
only nxtous that he should make rs full
an explanation ss possible, for the instruc-
lions TO Gen. Crook we're to capture the
cept = conditional surrender The attention OF
Gen. Miles when he succeeded Gen. Crook was
called to these instructions for his guidance.
Ihey were given because the President desired
W c0anse the policy of the government in the
treatment OF hostile Indians. Instead of Ie-
Turning ,hem TO their reservations they will be
given into the hands OF the civil authorities of
the territory In which they had committed
their crimes TO be tried Tor them. The condi-
tlonai surrender Of Geronimo renders H. i'm
possible TO do this.
II Is understood that the governor of Arizona
has already made an ofi1cial reouisition upon
the governor OF Texas Tor Geronimo and his
companions, In order that they may be tried
ohoer evil laws for murder and other crimes
committed In Arizona, but this cannot be done.
Inc Indians are not In charge OF the governor
Oh IeXas, ana the President must protect them,
Miles.
THERE Is CONFLICT OF OPINION
as 70 the condition OF the Indians at the time
OF their surrender. Gen. Miles In his report
shows that they never before were in such des-
perate straits. They were worn out, nearly
starved, surrounded by troops and ut
IerIy unable to continue on the
war path more than couple of
months. On the other hand, well-iniormed
army officers hold that the hostiles had re-
centiy replenished their supplies and ammu-
nition, and were as capable ever of continu-
ING their depredalions aud that IL was much
wiser u accept The terms of the hosties than to
nave run the risk Of con tiDued rapine and muir
oer. Al this latter case be the true one il
cannot be offered in defense OF Geperai
Mics action, Tor ne reports entirely differ
ton has been received at the War Department
from Lieut.. GatewOod, the officer 10 whom Ger
onimo nrst surrendered, nor from Capt. Law
Ton, who was in command oi the troops In pur-
SUIT OF the hOstiles. The telegram from Capt
Lawton TO friend that there were no terms OF
surrender IL not considered at the War depart-
ment because unofficial.