The sun., 1892-02-12
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HsssrvstssA which Seems Largely Va.
ssases - esppsss the Trsss FlsssA upsa II
WAsHporoN. Feb 1.-THE current outbreak
Of III feeling between the Navajo indiana and
the cowboys Of the ranches and settlements
on the border OF their reservation II the con-
dnuation OF an old story.
Tho Navaios are one OF the largest tribes In
the country. outside OF the Indian Territory.
and their reservation Ia also one Of the largest.
1t comprises about 8. 200. 900 acres. situated in
northeastern Arizona, northwestern New
Mexico. and southeastern Utah. at the juno
ton OF the three Territories. The Indians
number from $4,000 to 10000" according to
Commissioner Morgan. who puts them down
at $4,000: but such variation in the ssti-
mates suggests some ignorance on the part Of
the Government as to their strength. condl-
ton. and needs.
This uncertainty would be still moro serious
we're rations served to them. But they receive
no subsistence supplies from the Government,
and depend on their great herds Of sheep aud
goats The last oficial report Of Brig. Gen. A.
Med. McCook. commanding the Department
OF Arizona. gives Information about them
which is OF interest Just now.
The Navajos would prove = formidable enemy -
- numbers and arms In Of war. but are
vulnerable account Of their possessing such
Gus herds OF sheep upon which they mostly subsist
:sss.:; ssan;!s :.ms eondi:
/:
Be found with wafer Or sufeisn, messur. in Il. sol
10 war sarr,p. z. s,smp,s a a. sais .ndn.sIy
my s.ss 8! =.
With nsi nsras pS
hss so people for
~ .sroasiy object HAVING shs!r Children TAKEN 70
s
In the troubles Of the Navaios with their
white psighb9.sss % .s several causes have played
whiskey sellers. who have at times been eject
ed by the troops after nearly provoking hos
But q moro important source Of auarrels Is
the constant on st enSroachment on their Iessrva.
Valuable mnes as he re
reSssls hsnded @ de ,ssetfn tHe fadians:
LEFT in some doubt: But from, time to time
since then .prospectors have. stolen in ,upon
ns ss spos bssasS il ess 1 rs sSa na
Mountains 1t is to the. credit Of the Navaios
that they generally apply to the troops at Fort
were arrested By tie oldiers sand and taken out oi
with the settlers.
u, But an9thsE source Of II feeling is probably
The reservation Of tho Navaios is in large
PARTS sterile, and for years they have been
the psisahborWjnfs, aL springs 70, their flesks
hss ths Mn esun u eo%pee ss
Five years ago there Was danger Of bloodshed
In the San Juan River country on this account
Four years ago Commissioner Atkins reported
that it is estimated that there are between
soSnsrS n Seyona the seir Gese sae
ton" Yet he declared that this was neces-
ss Gen esy at 9G hs tme
commanding. the department reporting the
same state OF facts
;s% A. IN
All. i h Es r.. hsd M prob
sion the greater portion OF the time.
Gen; Mccook. the present commander. has
already been QUOTED as saying that the In
Of eouny preb
eEs ies bn sh nsSs sss se
officers show that this IS i%prseticabIe. and. %
in fact. has never been eXacted OF them.
ss Of Gni Rssses
Gen: GrersSn son. in M the fenort Slresdy referred
s shs ssses 81 ea
yoirs and bitches for the reservation. which. as
he says. Is situated on the high. arid conti-
mental divide. where there 10 . great scarcity
Of water. md where the arabic lands are limited
to narrow valleys In the mountains, Improve
ments are now being undertaken to aid them
in securing an increased supply Of water.
and more systematic mode OF irriga-
tion VIII greatly improve T their condition; II
been done. although it merely points the way
to the necessity for more extensive works.
express declarations OF Government officers
that until such water supplies are furnished it
would he out of the question to attempt to
keen the Navaios from freauentinG. those
place places % "u.sioe tb tner reservation which have
has been made; it is perhaps in allowing claims
1t happens that commission has been ap-
pointed to visit the Navajos this spring. with .
view to buying the northern part OF their res
ervation. where the mineral lands are sup
posed to be: and this commission may be
provision for the region On the railroad where
troops must again. as often before. be relied
upon to keep the peace.