Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-02

roUR THOUSAND SIOUX WARRIORS TO PAcIrY
Oh MEET IN BATTLE-cArsEs OF TIE TROUBLE
--rHR NEED OF MORE CAVALRY.
There are some people who profess to believe
that the Indian situation in the northwest is
not as tense as the average newspaper report
sketches it, but Gen. Nelson A. Miles 10 not one
Of them. It was almost midnight last night
when the famous Indian fighter and STAR re-
porter-both in the generals room in the
Ebbitt House-discussed the condition of at
fairs in South Dakota, Montana and Nebraska.
! THE DANGER NOT ExAaGERATED.
"The seriousness and danger Of the situation
have not been exaggerated" said the general
The disaffection Is more widespread than i. has
been at any time for years. The conspiracy
extends to more different tribes that have here
tofore been hostile, but that are now in full SYM
Pathy with each other and are scattered over q
larger area Of country than in the whole his
hensive plot than anything ever inspired by the
Prophet, Tecumseh or even Pontiac.
1.-The causes OF this difficulty are easy Of To-
cation. insufficient food supplies, religious
deiusion and the innate disposition Of the saw
age to 60 to war must be held responsible"
THE MILITARY NOT QUITE READY.
"Are the campaign preparations on the part
Of the government completed" asked the re-
porter.
met quite" replied tho general. 'Every-
thing will be ready i'll a few days, though.
available very speedily. All that is possible is
being done to encourage the loyal and reduce
the number and influence Of the hostile, and in
this way an outbreak may be averted. ! sim
cerely hope there will be no hostilities, for a
general uprising would be . most serious af-
fair
FOUR THOUSAND FIGHTING INDIANS TO ENCOUNTER.
''How many Indians will you have to contend
with2"
Altogether there are in the northwest about
5000 who arc affected by the Messiah craze;
number at least one-third would not 60 on the
warpath, 80 that leaves US with about 1000 ad-
versarles. There are 5000 other Indians in
Indian territory who will need to be watched if
active operations take place. Four thousand
indlans can make an immense amount OF trou-
bic. But 1.-THE of that number were con-
cerned in the Minnesota massacre, yet they
Killed more than 500 settlers in q very brief
space Of time"
what is the total strength of your force?"
MORE CAVALRY NEEDED.
Gen. Miles avoided the question somewhat by
referring to the great necessity which existed
for more cavalry. Altogether" he said, 1--WE
have about 1900 mounted men. We have
plenty Of infantry. but you cannot catch
mounted Indians with white foot soldiers. The
infantry had one or two good fights in 1876 and
II, but such engagements are rare in frontier
warfare
rs it not novel proceeding for Indians to
go on the warpath ut the beginning of wintor?''
querled the reporter.
Yes, in some respects it is" replied the gen.
eral. ''Their argument is good. though. They
are better armed now than they ever were and
their supply of horses is all that could be de-
sired. Every buck has Winchester rifle and
he knows how to use it, In the matter of sub
sistence they are taking but little risk. They
can live on cattle just well as they used to on
buffalo, and the numerous horse ranches will
furnish them with fresh stock when cold and
starvation ruin their mounts. The northern
Indian is hardy and can suffer great deal.
These hostiles have been starved into fighting,
and they will prefer to die fighting rather than
starve peaceably.
HOPES THERE WILL BE NO FIGHTING.
II hope the problem may be solved without
bloodshed, but such happy ending to the
trouble seems improbable. An outbreak would
cost the lives of great many brave men and
the destruction of hundreds of homes in the
northwest. Ifpeace is possible we will have it. F"