El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-24
INDIANS ARE GOOD SOLDIERS;
USE THEM TO GUARD BORDER
Fl 6 n

oOKING forward to the possibility that the United
States may very need a large army, Edward E
- Aver, pioneer Of the southwest, authority In
dian life and history of wide education obser
walton has recommended the enlistment Of at least 10 reg
ents Of Indians for border patrol duty releasing equal
number Of white regiments for duty elsewhere occasion
arose
terror Lane in whose department the Of Indian
AFFAIR." that rifle ranges be provided each of the prom-
tary drill with proper rifle practice His idea that if
the Indians needed thev
enter the federal service qualified emeu His present
Is further step.
From his wide experience the governments mill
Ary service IN 1864 IN Indian campaigning Nj Aver be-
very much impressed that the Indian
good character Of which fashion soldier in that
ne IS loyal brave, truthful and physically vigorous It IS
bis belief also that Indians offered the pay
white soldiers provided with with plenty bright
trappngs and equipped with uniforms which pleased their
there would be difficulty whatever raising
many regiments suggested place
recruiting In the hands OF reservation agents. of high
character and discretion who know the Indians well and have
their confidence.
Mr. Ayers attractive and it doubtless be given
The proper consideration by the department The In
dams would make ideal soldiers especially this
country which is home the southwestern Indians Living
conditions the plains in the mountains perfectly
familiar to them. The called desolaon Of the Big Bend
district would have Moreover any engagements
they might be called to with border bandits
arauders of any description conditions in
which they would give the best possible account of them
selves.
Indians first private soldiers under competent
leadership They proved that IN Cuba in utterly alien
very well managed expedition The Indian company the
Arizona national guard of the very best the reg
ent The Indian battalion Of the United States Indian
school at Phoenix has taken many prizes for excellence
drill and the veteran Apache Pershing
MEXICO proved themselves quite valuable insofar their
opportunities extended I'D they and their companion
scouts IN the days Of the Geronimo campaign
They brave. They like fight-Ike nothing better
n fact They amenabe discipline especially under
commanders who treat them we'll They past masters
oy nature in guerilla warfare And they very great
endurance That is Of their best military assets The
writer who has lived close with various tribes of
Arizona Indians for the greater part Of years. seen
sturdy young Indians after years spent changed
conditions Of the schools which might be supposed to be phy
cay weakening dorot for hour after through sand
and rocks IN winter alike Twenty-Five
miles day Of marching under pack little more
than stroll to Of whose think nothing Of
walking barefoot IS miles of blstering sand with
bundle top Of the head and pound infant the back
Regiments such proposed would white
Officers Of the line well the staff There might be
some executions There Indians right in Arizona
and New Mexico who well qualified eutenancies as
some Of the better Of the national guard eutenants and
here Carlisle graduate apparently full blood has
nsen TO captains commission in the British IN
france Generally speaking however the Indians not
be available Tor promotions above seTgeants An first ser
gants should be Indians for those who to that
rank the government schools only make good drill
masters but also make excellent buffer to speak be-
tween the company and the white officers.
This idea Of Nj Ayers is based sound knowledge
Of the indians Il is far from impractical if the need for
men arises it is well worth trial