The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-12-06
A VERY QUIET DAY IN CONGRESS.
AppOrtiOnment Bill in the House and
Force Bill in the
Senate.
The Bank Of Commerce in West Supe-
rior Makes an Assign
ment.

mas Oeen In washington since lost Satur-
day night, in daily consultation with Sec
retary Proctor, Gen. Schofield and Secre-
tary Noble, upon matters relating to the
Indian situation in the northwest. left
for Chicago today. The general believes
that danger is imminent.
"The seriousness of the situation he
says, "has not been exaggerated. The
disaffection is more wide spread than it
has been at any time for years. The con-
spiracy extends to more different tribes
than have heretofore been hostile, but
that are now IN full sympathy with each
other, and are scattered over larger area
of country than in the whole history Of
Indian warfare. 1t is more comprehen-
sive plot than anything ever conspired by
prophet Tecumseh or even Pontiac. TIE
causes of this difficulty are easy of 10
cation. Insufficient food supplies,relig
ious delusion and innate indisposition Of
savages to go to war must be held re-
sponsible.
"Are the campaign preparations on the
part of the government complete?" was
asked.
"Not quite" replied the general.
"Everything will be ready in few days,
though. Troops and supplies are en-
route and will be available very speedily.
All that is possible is being done to en-
courage the loyal and reduce the number
and influences of hostillities, and in this
way an outbreak may be averted. SIN
cerely hope there will be no hostilities,
for general uprising would be most
serious affair.""
elbow many Indians will you have to
contend withY"
"Altogether there are in the northwest
about $4,000 who are affected by the mes
siah craze; that means fully 5000 fight
ing men. OF this number at least one
third would not 20 on the warpath, SC
that leaves US with about 1000 adversar-
les. There are 5000 other Indians in the
/ Indian tertiary who will need to be
watched if active operations take place
-Four thousand Indlans can make an I'M
mense amount OF trouble. But 1.-THE Of
that number were concerned in the Min
nesota massacre, yet they killed more
than 500 settlers in very brief space o.
time"
"What is the total strength of YOU
force?"
Gen. Miles avoided the question some
what by referring to the great necessit.
which existed for more cavalry. "Alto
gether," he said, tive have about 2,0Ol
mounted men. We have plenty of in
fantry, but you cannot catch mounted
Indians with white foot soldiers. Th'
infantry had one or two good fights il
1678-77, but such engagements are rar'
In frontier warfare"
"Is it not novel proceeding for thu
Indians to go on the war path at the be
| ginning of winter?" queried the reporter
"Yes, in some respects 1t is" replied
the general. "rhelr argument Is goot
though. They are better armed nov
i, than they ever were and their supply O
horses is all that could be desired. Every
buck has Winchester rifle and h
knows how to use it. In the matter o
subsistence they are taking but little risk
They can live on cattle just as wei
as they used to on buffalo ant
numerous horse ranches will furnisl
them with fresh stock when cold AM
starvation ruin their mounts. The north
, ern Indian is hardy and can suffer
great deal. These hostiles have beel
starved into fighting and they will prefe
to die fighting rather than starve peacea
bly,. hope the problem may be solve'
without bloodshed, but such happ.
ending to the trouble seems improbable
. An outbreak would cost the lives OF
great many brave men and the destrue
tion of hundreds of homes In the north
west. II peace is possible we will hay
It,"