New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-04

COMMISSIONERS ENDEANOR1NG TO SOFTEN
THE RUGGED SIoUX BY SOCIAL ATTEN-
TIoNS-THE INDIANS TOLD PLAIN
LY THAT THEY MAY BE
FORCED TO YIELD PART
OF THEIR LANDS.
TBT TELEGRAPH TRIIsyNrt
Standing Rock Agency, Aug. 3.-Ihe fight on
the reservation now is between the Commission
ers and the four chiefs, Gall. Mad Bear John
Grass and Big Head, who are backed by Sitting
Bull. To-day the Commissioners requested the
chiefs TO rise and tell the Indians that each Of
them could act for himself This request was re-
pcatcd several times. but the chiefs treated it
with contempt and silence. The Commissioners
then told the Indians that the silence of the chiefs
was evidence that the Indians were being kept
from signing by intimidation. This statement has
cnraged the chiefs, who, though they say nothing
TO the Commissioners will do some pretty plain
and bitter talking to the Indians in the council
tonight. Notwithstanding the attitude of the
chiefs, the lamp Of hope still burns for the tena-
cious Commissioners
The Indians have been losing interest in the
conference. Not more than onehalf of their num-
Der came in TO listen to the Commission
Those who did come had little
to say. and listened langudy to the speeches
until the sensation which created by the
charge made against their chiefs. The greatest
for here it is that their true sentiments are learned
Last night Sitting Bull made speech, in which
he reminded the Indians that they had the power
under the old treaties TO hold their land, or to
give it away. lie called their attention to the
fact that it requires the consent Of threc-fourths
of their number to open the reservation. and
that, if those at this agency refuse to sign, it
will be impossible fer the whites to take the land
unless every Indian at the other agencies con-
sents This with the opposition Of Red Cloud
he thought impossible. Mad Bear and John Grass
contributed their usual oIatorical efforts, the
latter stating that the whites had land enough
moro than could be settled for years.
And, yet" said he, they are here trying to
get our lands for nothing
Flying-by one of Sitting Bulls most faithful
licutenants said it would be eternal dis
grace to the Indians if they should
permit the Commissioners to fool them, now
that they have rendered their decision and said
that they would never sign 1t WIS an exciting
council, as few of the Indians, who have
weakened and realize the fact that the treaty
is fair, attempted to speak favorabIy of the
conduct of the whites. These were young Indians
of prominence in the tribes and they were quickly
hooted down. Rain-inthe-Face, who does not
forget his bloody conflicts with the whites during
the. Indian wars and frontier massacreS, is per-
sistent in his opposition. He is one of the most
adroit politicians the reservation and although
his band has been taken from him, he has
following. Flying-by and Gray Eagle, who were
taken East with Sitting Bull on his famous tour
arc aiding the old medicine man in his work
of discipline. They know the value of money
and are explaining to the tribes how small an
amount they will receive for their lands under
the treaty.
The squaws who were sent home over week
ago, ostensbly under instructions to attend to the
work on the farms. said to be
busy carrying messages from the camTs
TO the runners between the agencies. 1t Is also
reported here tonight that the Indians who have
failed 10 appear at the conference IN me last .e
two days have gone ont 10 counsel with the
sQuaws and learn the reports from Ilne lldge,
which are being sent by Red Cloud. This con-
dtion of affairs is not encouraging to the whites,
all of whom regret that the opening of the reser-
walton and the development of the country can
be thus retarded by the red men 49,, c,,oiu
1t was % 80 o'clock this morning when Chalr-
man Pratt called the conference to order ne ches
were all present, but the absence OF 50 many IN
diars made the circle look small Most oi the
time was occupied by Commissioner Cleveland
whose remarks wegc TO the point, but did not EN-
to affect the stolid and determined braves lie
told them that three years ago a bill was miro
duced i'm Congress to take this land from them
without pay. but the Indian Rights Associarloh o.
the East and Senator Dawes defeated II. ne M sllu
that the same association, composed OF thelr true
friends had approved this treaty as the pest that
could be done for the Indians, and calicd upon
them in their own DehalI 10 accepI H. p'ioIc
closing he reminded them that, if they failed to
accept this treaty. they might be compclled 10
give up their lands without reconpense. -. a.
Judge Wright reminded them OF the Whlie m""h
and tho Indian who went hunting aud dlvlded !he
game the white man taking the turl<ev ana giving
The buzzard to the Indian. lie admonlshed 'heIl
10 accept this treaty, so that they WouIu nov
share fate similar 10 their brother IN the story.
Owing TO the large number of abscnteeS' tn1
conference WIS short and was adJourned uh'h
Monday at o o'clock. l.,
The Commissioners went out ycstcrday u III
snccf the Indian missions and crops They hope
bv social visits Of this character 10 Great" goo5
feeling among the rcsOlutc Sioux II Is runorIu
1his evening that the CCmmssi onerS have rellapIe
information that at least onc-half OF IN" Indians
are willing to sign but this is douhtci No natter
how the Indians may feel individually. 1t Is evil
dent that the unit rule has been appied Dy Unc
politicians of the tribes.
There is every reason to believe that not one OF
Calls band will sign. as he has not only III Pr
Vate council but in the conference. stated that he
would never sign either paper. He has larger
following than any other chief here, and his peo,
ple have so much respect for him that they Will
never sign without his consent The Commls-
sioners are doing all in their power to keep
their audience good natured. for there is nothing
that makes an Indians heart good as surely
as full stomach On Wednesday night the In
dians were given thirteen head Of cattle Tor
feast and ration day Is almost here the 2luttOns
in ccstacics over their prospects 10 grow lah
The charge made against Chiefs Call, sitting |
Bull Mad Bear and Big Head has created the |
sensation Of the conference. and il now remains
to he seen who can control the Indians, the chiefs
or the Commissioners.