Arizona republican., 1899-11-22
FORT WHIPPLE.
The Navajo Trouble Brings the CUES
ton Into Prominence.

ton Into Prominence.
The war department has been OIL
ciaIy notified of the late trouble with
the Navajos, and provision made to
protect the country to be affected in
case an outbreak occurs. or block any
demonstration that may be made on
scattered settlements. The present
force of soldiers at Wingate is said to
be limited to but one troop of cavalry,
a force inadequate to protect the gar
rison in trouble, while at Fort Apache
but one company of infantry is avail
able.
The above comprises all the military
strength at hand of the government.
and before any additional troops could
be concentrated or be placed in position
to strike effectively a week would at
least elaPse.
The perilous question to face the war
department today, says the Prescott
Journal Miner. is the strength of the
Navajos on one hand and our inability
on the other to check or resist any up
rising which time or conditions may in
a moment throw unexpectedly on US.
for instance, such a clash as took place
but d week ago. The supposition seems
to exist that as the Navajcs have been
for years peaceable and productive.
growing, as each year passes, more and
more wealthy and stable, the danger
is lessened accordingly of an outbreak,
unless the traditions of the tribe are
shattered or assailed. The fallacy of
this belief is dispelled and no better
criterion against it can he advanced
than the case of the Nez Perces, IN
north Washington.
Another argument for the war de-
partment to consider is the restless
ness at all times Of the younger eie-
ment Of the Navajos and their pacifi-
cation under present conditions By the
older heads. There are said to be at
least $500 young bucks who are only
TOO eager to assail the whites. and if
what the prospector, who has Ventured
on their domain, says is true they are
a dangerous and determined element
under any circumstances, and under
present peaceable conditions there is
no doubt but what the lives of many
who have ventured on their reservation
have been sacrificed.
In round numbers the Navajcs are
about 10000 strong and had they adj
vanced on the whites to avenge the
death of their tribesmen last week the
blacklist page in American history
would have been written. in the hun
dreds of human beings slain, and that,
too. without the resistance Of a hun
dred men of the military.
Such are. absolutely, the conditions
to face the government. and if, as it is
intimated today. the rehabilitation Of
Fort Whipplc is being earnestly and
zealousIy considered, this time, the It'd
inGs viii surely he greeted with the
prayer of comfort by many an isolated
family of the northern portion OF Arr
he fully informed on these matters and
be fully informed on these meters, and
now that the first black cloud is hang
ing over the scene. immediate action
will be taken to avert any disaster
likely to occur. There is no doubt,
even today but what the Navajos are
singing under the pain Of the deaths
last week of their fellow men. aud
even if a general outbreak is not immi-
nent, renegades will pick off from
time to time any who venture on or
near their reservation. Laying aside
any motive Of q sectional nature to
benefit Prescott. the cold blOoded fact
is before us that Whipple should be
regarrisoned at once and those who are
so numerically at the power of the
treacherous Indian should be sheltered
and supported to the last man.
We trust that Whippie is again to be
the scene Of an active military center
and that the sooner it is accomplished
the better will ii be.