New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-02
THE INDIANS ARE WEARY.
MANY MISSING FROM STANDING ROCK
URGED BY SITTING BULL TO COME TO A DECISION
THEIR CROPS NEED ATT NrToN-DoUBrfNG
THE CORRECTNESS OF THE OFFICIAL MAPA

fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE1


fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRrBUSE1
Standing Rock Aug There is no change IN the
situation at the agency In the conference to-day tho
Indians prOpoundcd questions 70 tho Comm mssiones
and the Commissioners answered and explained
Many Of the Indians absent, and Chairman Pratt
asked the four chiefs where the absentecs were In
doing So he reminded the chiefs that they sad they
represented all OF the Indians, and, II So why did
they not have their tribes PRESENT. The chiefs an
swcred that Of tne Indians tired OF stand
Ing In council and were resting in their camps while
others hunting for their horses which have
straycd away. Sitting Bull has not spoken to tho
Commissioners, but he made speech 10 the Indians
In council, advising them to come TO an understand
ing at and get back TO their farms, as their
crops suffering while they kept at the agency
His speech moderate, and did not contain the fro
that was expected After telling the Indians 10 como
an understanding at once, he advised them not to
weaken in their decision simply because the Commis-
sioners remained. Among the questions asked by tho
Commissioners was
DO you believe the Secretary OF tho Interior Is
lying TO you when he tells you that It is right and
Just for you to sign OF these papers, the ono
meaning yes, or the ono meaning no ~
The Indians were also asked II they thought tho
Commissioners lying TO them To these ques-
tons the Indians made reply but persisted In talk
ing about the treaties Of 1865 and 1916 Tho indians
insist that the boundary lines Of their reservation,
ers arc not tho same as described IN tho old
treaties on this point Louis Agaard, Frenchman,
and William Halscy. a half breed, who have been
among Indians for many years and looked upon
by the Indians their friends, made speeches. Tho
remarks OF these great surprise, not only
to the half-brccds, who have understood that they
were opposed the treaty but TO the Indians, whose
confidence they have enjoyed. They informed tho
Indians that the boundary lines marked tho
maps by the Government arc correct, and
that the whites had taken only the land
that belonged 70 them. The Indians frequently IN
tcrrupcd speaker. and expressed their surprise
and disgust their arguments in favor Of the whites
The ati;, De of Halsey and Agaard has convinced
many that the Indians may sign, as they have friends
in all the tribes and have influence which may
work for the good OF the whites.
The Indians have taken the treaties OF 1865 and
1876 10 their camps tonight and VIII hold Dig
council II IS thought that at thelr oouncu Io-mghs
they will como 10 a final decision and that tomorrow
nav end tho conference TO-day's conference lastcd
only two hours and the Commissioners adjourned until
to- OmOrrOw al . O'Clock .
sitting Bull seems 70 fear that the Indians are
weakening and will do all In his power to hold them
10 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 looks as though they
vii! sign tho negative. They have been informed ihas
the Commissioners will not leave untl they
sign one Of the Eome ana tbe beey pe1ps %as
sent TO the opening OF Tie reservation but there Is no
good ground for thar belief az present Inc next
two DAYS Will be interesting. as 1t is expected that tho
conference will close on Friday.