Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-05
The NeW Indian
Bg Frederic J. Hasktn

Washington, June 2.-The rumor that unit
OF American Indians would be included in the
first division of troops to be sent to Europe is
only rumor. Secretary OF War Baker has an
nounced himself opposed to it, He does not be-
lieve that the various nationaties and races that
constitute the American people should be sepa-
rated in service, but should all fight as Amer
leans
As a matter OF fact, the number OF Indians
available for military service is extremely small.
There are only $4,000 American Indians, located
principally throughout the west and middle-west;
Of these only about 40 per cent speak English.
Even of this 40 per cent about half are women,
while great many more either under or
over the military age limit or for various rea-
sons incapacitated
The War department, therefore, is not disposed
to favor any plan calling for special mobza-
ton Of Indians All Indians of military age will
register the same as other American males Many
students in government Indian schools have al
ready gone into training in various military or
CARNATIONS.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is also opposed
to any policy which treats the Indian as race
rather than an individual Mr. Sells declared
policy is to make citizens of all Indians who are
ready for the privileges and responsibilities which
citizenship involves. In determining which In
dians are competent to exercise the rights of cit
izenship, the following facts will govern.
If an Indian is of more than one-half white
blood, other than in exceptional cases, he will be
given full charge of his affairs, including his
money and property, and the government there
after withdraws its supervision of him. He may
stay on the reservation or go out into the world,
at his pleasure. He is free man. Now to all
Indians of one-half or more Indian blood, the
same privileges will be granted when, after
thorough investigation, they are determined to
be as competent to manage their own affairs as
the average white man, except that it will be the
rule to withhold patents in fee to forty acres of
land belonging to each Indian, so that he may be
insured a permanent home.
In addition to declaring competent and CIV
ing patents in fee to adult Indians, Commissioner
Sells has established the practice Of giving patents
in fee or competency certificates to graduates Of
'non-reseryation Indian schools giving the full
course of study who are 81 years Of age and have
demonstrated competency to manage their own
affairs.
On being declared competent, the Indian will
receive not only the entire control of all his
individual Indian money and property, but his
interest in tribal funds will also be paid to him.
Tbs money will be withdrawn from the treasury
and their pro rata shares paid to all competent
Indians, while the shares of the incompetent In
dians will be withdrawn and placed in banks to
their individual credit to be expended for the ben
eft OF the Indians under the supervision of the
superintendent of their respective reservations.
Along with these new privileges, however, the
Indian will encounter responsibilities For ex-
ample, he will have to- pay for his children's
schooling For many years the government has
been educating at its own expense Indian children
who contain in some cases as much as three
fourths white blood and whose parents are
wealthy. Sometimes there were adequate public
schpol facilities in the immediate vicinity of their
residences but the parents preferred to send them
to the non-reservaton schools at the expense of
the government Now, according to the new
ruling, Such children shall not hereafter be en-
rolled in government Indian schools supported
by gratuity appropriations, except on payment Of
actual per capita cost and transportation"
Today there, are hundreds of we'll educated
and prosperous Indians In the west who are sue
cessfu farmers and ranch men. Many are ell
gagged in the professions and business occupa-
tons Many Of the Indian women are excellent
housekeepers and, as rule, they are making
rapid Improvement in home economics, domestic
science being one Of the chief courses taught in
the government schools Two United States SEN
ators and three congressman are Indians. and one
nearly fullblood Indian woman has recently aston
ished eastern audiences by her highly cultured
and beautiful voice. 3D..
The rapid strides OF the American Indian for
the last few years are strikingy significant Of his
future. The competent Indian will henceforth be
freed from the restrictions of guardianship and
have all OF the privileges of an American citizen,
while the incompetent, those who need the pro-
lection Of the government and they are still the
large majority, will have it in full measure.