Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1888-08-03
No New Developments in the Con.
ference Between the Commits
siOners and the Sioux.
Sitting Bull Makes a Speech in Coun.
Gil, But is Not so Fiery as
Was Anticipated.
1t is Thought That They May Give
the Commissioners a Final
Answer To-day.
Will They Sign?

Will They Sign?
STANDING Rock AGENCY, OAK, Aug. L.
Especial There's is no change in the
situation at the agency. The conference
to-day was simply an exercise in catechism,
the Indians propounding questions to the
commissioners and the commissioners an
swering and explaining. Many of the In
Gians were absent and Chairman Pratt
asked the four chiefs where the absentees
were. In doing so he reminded the chiefs
that they said they represented all of the
Indians and if so why did they not have
their tribes present. The chiefs answered
that some of the Indians were very tired of
standing in council and were resting in
their camps while others were hunting for
their horses which have strayed away
Sitting Bull has not spoken to the commits
sioners, but he made speech to the
Indians in council, advising them to come
to an understanding at once and get back
to their farms, as their crops are suffering
while they are kept at the agency. His
speech was very moderate and did not con-
tain the fire which was expected. After
telling the Indians to come to an under
standing at once he advised them
NOT TO WEAKEN
in their decision simply because the COM
missioners remained.
Among the questions asked by the COM
missioners was: "Do you believe the sec
retary of the interior is lying to you when
he tells you that it is right and just for you
to sign one of these papers-the one mean
ing yes, or the one meaning no?" The In
dians were also asked if they thought the
commissioners were lying to them. To
these questions the Indians made no reply,
but persisted in talking about the treaties
the boundary lines OF their reservation as
shown by the maps distributed by the COM
mission are not the same as described in the
old treaties. On this point LOnis Agaard,
Frenchman, and William Halsey, a
half-breed, who have been among the In
dians for many years and who are looked
upon by the Indians as their friends, made
speeches. The remarks of these men were
A GREAT SURPRISE
not only to the half-breeds who have un-
derstood that they were opposed to the
treaty, but to the Indians whose confidence
they have enjoyed. They informed the
Indians that the boundary lines marked on
the maps by the government are correct
and that the whites had taken only the
land that belonged to them. The Indians
frequently interrupted these speakers and
expressed their surprise and disgust at
their arguments in favor of the whites.
The attitude of Halsey and Agaard has
convinced many that the Indians may sign
as they have friends in all the tribes and
have an influence which may work for the
good of the whites.
The Indians have taken the treaties OF
1868 ard rs to their camps tonight and
will hold a big council. 1t is thought that
at their council tonight they will come to
A FINAL DECISION
and that tomorrow may end the confer
ence. To-day's conference lasted but two
hours and the commissioners adjourned
until tomorrow at 9 O'Clock. Sitting Bull
seems to fear that the Indians are weaken
ing and will do all in his power to hold
them to their decision not to sign. Until
to-day there was no hope of having the
Indians sign either for or against the
treaty, but it now looks. as though they
will sign the negative. They have been
informed that the commissioners will not
leave until they sign one of the papers ana
they may consent to sign "no." Some of
the people at the agency have hopes that
they will at last consent to the opening of
the reservation, but there is no good ground
days will be interesting, as it is expected
that the conference will close on Friday.
Governor Church and Auditor Ward left
the agency to-day, having done much good
work in favor of the opening of the reser-
walton. The governors speech had its
effect on the Indians, as they consider that
fidence in what he saws