New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-07
GEPONIuO md ITALY.

About a year and half ago The Tribune CON-
mented at some length on the fact that Geronimo
the well-knOwn Apache chief, late Of Arizona, was
teaching Sunday school in Alabama, where he is
confined as q prisoner. We used the incident as
an example of what could he done with the Indian
in civilization, and related pleasing anecdote OF
how, in explaining the story of Samson and the
Philistincs to his class Geronimo had drawn .
picture on the blackboard, in which great crowd
of Philistines was running away from Samson,
who wore feathers in his hair ard row of scalps
around his waist while the PhlistineS were all
in the uniform of the United States Army.
Geronimo continued to teach, and last fall was
made superintendent of the Sunday-school. Some
of his notions, however, seem to have remained
slightly murky as late as the holidays, for on the
Christmas tree as presents for the young lady
teachers of the school he put scaping-knives which
he had made himself out Of iron barrel hoops.
Now comes the intelligence that he will probably
have TO give up his Sunday school work, as he
and his band have decided to enlist in the Army
under the new regulations authorizing Indian
regiments:
1t is, of course, unfortunate in one way that
Geronimo should give up his religious work for
the Army. War at the best is cruel and un-
natural, and can bear no sort Of comparison with
the noble work of intoxicating the simple truths of
the Gospel into the minds of youth. Better the
humblest worker in the field of Christianity than
the greatest general of all time. But Geronimo
has decided to make the change-to lay aside the
lesson-leaf for the sword, and to turn from the
cabinet organ 10 the twelve-inch cannon-so re-
grets are useless. Since the change was inevitable
the time seems to be Opportune, War with Italy,
let us hope mag be avered, but if it comes, think
for a moment how Geronimo will fight the
tonished Italians. When the first Italian Army
lands on our shores and meets Geronimo at the
head of his band it will be q revelation to it. No
effete European military tactics for Geronimo!
While the Italian general is in his tent at dinner
struggling with some eight miles of spaghetti
Geronimo will swoop down upon the front of his
army. While the officers are holding a council
of war Geronimo will strike the flank of the army,
and by the time il starts an advance Geronimo
will come whOoping into camp from the rear and
capture every last case of macaroni and carry it
of and break it up for beads. BY the time King
Humberts Army has been in this country twenty
four hours q of dark Italian scalps will
dangle from the belt Of every one of Geronimo's
band, and the men that will be left in the army
will be glad 10 throw down their arms. set up
fruit-stands and learn the arts Of peace. Stranded
in a foreign country, with half their numbers
scalped, with unknown and bowling savages on all
sides, and without ten yards Of macaroni in camp,
the Italian Army will indeed he object of pity.
Italy should think twice before she sends an
army here to sure destruction. Geronimo
hasn't had experience in whipping the United
States Army for nothing. Our Navy may be
weak but Geronimo, with bis war-pant on. is
worth ten thousand ships