The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-08
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY.
Correspondence Relating to the
Present Outbreak Of Indians
in Dakota.
Bloodshed to be Averted If Posi-
BILE, But Ample Prepara-
tons Ordered.
Pine Ridge and Standing Rock Agencies
Put in Charge of the War
Department.

WASHINGTON, Jan. THE following cor
~respondence, made public to-day, explains
fully the position of the administration on
the Indian question:
WASHINGTON. Oct. 81. 890.-Secretary of
War-Sir: | forward for your information a
letter addressed to me by the secretary of
the interior under date of Oct. 30, accom-
panied with letters from the commissioners
of Indian affairs and of certain Indian
agents, all relating to apprehended trouble
with Sioux Indians. This delusion as to
the coming of an Indian messiah and the
return of dead Indian warriors from the
crusade against the whites. seems to have
taken strong hold not only upon the Sioux
but on some other tribes even az widely
separated as the Indian territory. You
will at once cause personal Investigation
to be made by either the division or de-
partment commander into the actual CON
dition of things among the Sioux, and di-
rect him to make early report of his obser-
vations and any recommendation he may
have to submit. In the meantime you will
see that all necessary precautions are taken
to have the troops in that vicinity prepared
to cooperate in the execution of any orders
that may be adopted. Very respectfully,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
WASHINGTON, Nov. l3.-Secretary of War
Sir: / transmit herewith communities
ions of the dates of Nov. 7, 10 and 1G, from
the secretary of the interior, accompanied
by copies Of letters from the commissioner
of Indian affairs and from the agents of the
Indian bureau at the Pine Ridge and Chey-
enne River agencies, all relating to the dis
turbed condition of the Indians at these
stations, and relating incidents in which
the authority and power of the agents and
Indian police have been violently defied
and set at naught. The situation seems to
me to be serious. The authority and dis
cipline of the agents must be maintained.
and adequate and early steps taken to pre-,
vent any outbreak hat may put in peril
the lives n homes of settlers of Hdjaceut
states. You will therefore assume direc-
ton and responsibility for sncn steps
as may be necessary to these
ends. You will see that the troops
whose services will be in requisition in case
of outbreak are in readiness to take and re-
main in the field that any movement by
troops be sufficiently large to be impressive
and in case of resistance quick and thor
oughiy efficient. | have directed the secre-
tary of the interior to advise his agents to
use their influence to separate we'll disposed
from ill disposed Indians and while using
their best endeavors to preserve discipline
to avoid outbreak, until the war depart
ment has made necessary preparations.
(Signed.} BENJAMIN HARRISON.
WASHINGTON, Jan. I.-Commlssioner of
Indian Atfairs-Sir: You will convey to
the several agents among the Sioux the fol
lowing order. which is hereby made during
the present Indian troubles. .You are in
s.ructed that while you shall continue all
business and carry into effect the educa-
tional and other purposes of your agency,
you will, as to all operations intended to
suppress any outbreak by force, cooperate