New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-30
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
STARVING ARIZONA INDIANS.
To the Editor of The Tribune,

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The New-York Tribune Of April 90 with its
statement conspicuously made in the headline set
across dispatches regarding the Zuni Indians and
the Five Nations. that the care of the American
Indian still constitutes a problem for humani-
tarans" is most seriously borne by the latest
authentic testimony concerning the starving Pima
and Maricopa Indians Of Arizona.
'Ossawa tonne" Browns old friend. Major Hora-
ito n Rust of South Pasadena, Cal. who after
serving CALAMITY through the for the Union,
became United States agent for the Pueblo Indians,
writes thus The Los Angeles Express under
date of April S:
7 have noticed with interest the articles in The
Express concerning the pitable condition of the
Pima and Maricopa Indians. and wish that every
reader would ask himself. Whose fault is it that
the Indians Warmers ranch and Sacaton Reser-
walton in a starving condition? Is not ndivid-
ua responsibility resting upon each American cit-
zen TO correct this great wrong?
we hear Of the barbarism of the Turks and the
savagery of the Filipino. Let ask Are they
more guilty than ourselves? American citizens al
low representa- ives TO rob the Indian citizen
of Warmers ranch Of the land his fathers owned
by occupancy long before the white man discov-
cred this country The Cnitel States acquired this
country from Mexico and in so doing received these
Indians wards Of the United States and guaran-
teed them the rights and protection as such
These Indians never have taken up against
or caused the United States any trouble whatever;
quietly did their fathers in their simple primitive
ways They first began 10 realize that they were
wards OF the United States when they were in
formed that this great humane, Christian govern
ment 10 whom they owed allegiance had given title
TO their homes and the graves OF their fathers to
the white man. and the latter Immediately pro-
ceeded 10 drive them away, and they had no right
go anywhere.
This has repeated under government au-
thority wherever the indian has occupied acre
al nd in
Here Major Rust gives space 10 the unjust
treatment of Indians in Southern California. and
And now comes this report from Arizona call
ing for help TO save a people from starvation
ed to visit the Pimas on the Sacaton Reservation
observe their methods Of irrigation and cutiva-
Il saw these people who are now destitute peace
able. industrious and seIf-supporting They used
the OF the ella River intelligenty. growing
large quantities OF wheat OF the finest quality.
With their agent examined their water supply,
and saw that the white men were taking the water
rom t9e IN TSe canaIs ana [hat II allowed 10
them L also above Florence 4 natural site
serve the run-off Of large watershed furnishing
enough for Indians and white men for many years,
Of Immediately building dam, thus providing for
Survey made, but the work not ordered,
the reason given being that the site not sutta-
that such f dam would flood az valuable mine. so
the Indians must wait Later another site further
ed and % he's Gen urged t to make 6 suitable
! plish what ought to have been done years ago
Friends of the Indian have pressed this claim
for years, knowing that starvation to
this people unless they could have the water which
belonged TO them. Now all that unless i'm
mediate relief reaches them they must starve-
The Rev. Mr.. Whittier. of Pasadena, has spent
months urging Congress to build the dam. that
Congressman are not ignorant of the necessity.
Now Agent Had1ey has gone to Washington to
urge Congress 10 make appropriation save
this people from starvation Who now is in fault"
Thus l have Enumerated facts which with
in our own knowledge; not far away in Turkey but
in boasted Christian country. I have pre-
scented the facts within my knowledge 10 Sen
ators. and now urge all persons who can have any
influence in Congress to use IL at once hoping that
by our importun!ng they may be led 10 act prompt
~ and be just 20 the indian
VIII you not give this statement and appeal place
in The Tribune7 SUSAN Z. DICKINSON.
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