Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-05
THE INDIAN TROUBLES.

THE INDIAN TROUBLES.
Cs0missso.er Merxsn win Co Wese n Or
dGsd-What Secretary NobAr ssys.
Indian Commissioner Morgan today sent The
following letter to Secretary Noble:
Sir: You win remember that acting under
your authority left Warrington September 8
for tour Of observation among the Indian
agencies, returning TO this city December &
During that time I held various coun.
oils with Indiana discussing whatever sub
jects they saw dt to present, among others the
so-cslled messiah craze" l have reason to
think that my presence among thsm had . con-
citement and disturbance, especially IN 0kls-
homa, where persistent efforts we're made tc
create public alarm.
II was during my absence that the unfor-
tunate state Of Affairs among the Sioux, now q
familiar TO III, began TO manifest itself. II wa
trip above referred 10; but e. soon - reached
Washington, December 6, I viEted you at your
house and expressed . hope that IL might
be possible, by the use Of all proper
measures, to avert bioodshed. !
stated 70 you my entire willingness to start on
the scene Of the troubles, With . view Of con.
ferring with the Indians and hearing their com
plants, 30 that Whatever just ground they had
for complaint might be removed and friendly
relations restored, possible.
fou said to me at the time that inasmuch q
the whole matter bad been turned over 10 the
military authorities il seemed 70 You unwisa
for me to 60 TO the Dakota Sioux, lest there
might be divided counsels and responsibility.
Since that time the most lamentable dissstc,
OF Wounded Knee creek has occurred, and TO-
day We are confronted With the fact that q larr<
Indians 20 h.
solidly arrayed against large and increasing
military force, with the possibility Of the stil
further shedding Of blood on both sidss.
The dispatches this morning state a. follows
LINCOLN, NEB.. Jan. An Indian courier
brings a message from the hostile camp u
substance Of which is that q demand Win D.
made that all soldiers withdraw from tia,
locality, and further, that the Indians will trea
with no one for peace but the President of ths
affairs"
beg leave 70 ast your sttention 10 this and
statement, and If the hostile Indians have
really expressed desire, or are willing to tres
with the commissioner Of Indian affairs, and
Il, in the judgment Of yourself and the
President, IT is considered at all wis
or expedient that visit the scene of disturb
of friendly relations, / stand ready to carry oui
any instructions which you and the President
may see ct TO give me and 70 start for Dakota
at an hours notice.
With sincere and earnest desire to do every.
thing that can be done. 10 prevent further
bloodshed, restore peace and do justice, re-
main,
Very respectfully yours, IT,. MonaAx.
WHAT SECRETARY NOBLE SAYS.
In speaking today of the reported recon.
mendation Of Gen. Miles that the Indian agents
in charge Of agencies in South Dakota be re-
lieved and that army officers be placed in
that the question had not been pre-
sented TO him from any authoritative
source. The Secretary said that he did moi
care to discuss the matter at present 1t 10 be-
heved that if the Secretary was called upon "a
express an opinion on such q question he
templated. The administration Of In.
dian affairs by the Interior Department, it i,
claimed, il not responsible for the present
outbreak. The supplies have been
furnished the Indians in accordance with the
provisions Of the law. The reduction in the
was the result of the action of Congress, in pur.
suance Of the policy that the Indians should
nave to become self-supporting ss rapidly a
possible. The agreement to issue rations under
the treaty Of 1877 was made with
the understanding that the amount should be
passed and last year Congress directed that the
rations should be reduced. more irritating
cause OF discomfort however, was the failure
Of congress to enact at the last session Legislation
in pursuance Of promises made by the Sioux
commission, and which the Indians when the
agreement ceding their lands to the United
States was signed fully believed would be car
ried out. The President at the last session cent
special message urging the necessary legisla-
ton and no action was taken by Congress.
This cause and not any maladministration Of
Indian affairs in believed to be at the bottom Of
the present trouble. From this standpoint,
therefore, there seems to be no reason for max
ing change in the administration.