The Washington herald., 1918-12-17
INDIAN OUTMATCIIED HUN
IN DARING AND CUNNING
Upholds Traditions of His Race as Scout and
Sharpshooter, Commissioner Cato, Sells
Report Shows

How the descendants of this con-
tinents aboriginal warriors, the
American Indians, donned the mill
tary uniform OF Uncle Sam, crossed
| overseas with their white comrades
and gave the Germans a taste of
real Indian warfare such as they
had read about in their school books
and will not soon forget-is re-
counted with unconcealed pride by
Indian Commissioner Cato Sells in
his annual report just made pub
! lie.
The American red men not only
honored themselves on the battle
fields of France, but in certain
forms of warfare-essentially the
Indians native tactics-surpassed
their fellow soldiers.
Although about 5000 of them en-
tered the military or naval service
of the country at the call to arms
of the Great White Father, rs per
cent having volunteered. The vast
majority of this number entered the
army and saw actual fring-line
service in France.
No separate Indian units were or
ganIzed overseas. At the insistence
of Commissioner Sells the first all
Indian company formed on this side
was disbanded and thereafter all
Indian soldiers were distributed
among the various regiments and
units on the same basis as the white
soldiers.
Did Their Bit mt Home.
In other war activities. such as the
| liberty loan, food production cam
paign. Red Cross and like relief work,
the report states that the Indians
matched their fellow Americans in pa
| triotism, sacrifice and service Inter-
esting details are given of their con-
tributions to war loans, their help TO
/ increase food supplies, their response
to calls for labor in periods of deple-
| ton and their generous gifts of both
money and various forms of property
according to their tribal customs.
I In view of the large number of old
and infirm Indians and others not ac-
ceptable under the draft, only about
33.eOO proved of military eligibility. OF
these at least 9,OO0-the exact figures
not being ayailable-entered the serv-
/ ice.
They will be remembered by the SOL
diers OF the allied armies for their
perfection in scout work. their re-
markable skill in creeping unseen upon
an enemy outpost or patrol and excep-
/ tionally fine work in sharpshooting.
In sUpplementing his report, Com
missioner Sells said yesterday the In
dians possess an almost preternaturaI
! sense of trail which no-~hite man has
ever attained. This quality rendered
them especially valuable in scout op-
erations and reconnaissance expedi-
/ tions. Because of their inherited ana
/ highly developed sense of direction.
/ distance and location. he added that
/ it is impossible to lose an Indian eth
er in France or anywhere else.
As NoiseIcss as Caterpillar.
! They were also particularly effective
/ in getting rid of annoying German
/ patrols and in stealthiIy approaching
advanced listening posts. Commits
| sioner Sells says a full-blooded In
dian can crawl along the ground,
! in advancing toward an object Of
attack. as naturally and as noiselessly
as caterpillar creeping through the
grass.
/ As sharpshooters and observers the
! clear eye and steady nerve of the
Indian renders him as a race without
4 a peer, the Commissioner added A
| trained Indian marksman can shoot
| the head off a bird to the full carry
ing distance of his rifle, and there
were many of such qualifications
among the Pershing fighters. he said