Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1920-02-11
INDIAN TROOPS As
|. PART Of THE ARMY
ORGANIZATION


the re-organized army. ana 10 be
known as the North American Indiaa
division or divisions, IS pending I'D
Congress as part OF the army re-or-
ganization legislation.
Many instances ol exploits OF per-
sonal heroism on The Western front,
such as mon for the Red Men IN
France The nickname OF squirrel
hunters" because Of the deadly accd-
racy Of their rifles in saiping contests
with Germans. were furnished the
committee as evidence Of valuable
man power which Il IS c9ntendsd
would be wasted il the Indians are de-
MED a place in the army scheme.
EXPERIENCES OF scouting and patrol
ling. particularly at night and in IA
known territory; disregard Tor per-
soaal danger under fire, and un1aiter-
ing loyalty we-e among the soidieriy
qualities the Indian Has described q
possessing to an unusual degree
Specific cases are cited BY pr Joseph
Kossuth Dixon. secretary Of the Ma
tional American Indian Memorial AS
soc.ation. OF which Ro&man Wana-
mixer. az New York, is founder and
president. Mr.. Dixon also read a lei
ter from General Persh.ag giving his
hearty approval" 20 a plan 70 enlis.
indian regiments.
Mary Have seen Service
A majority OF the more than 1900
Indians who cav military service dur
ing tho war we're members OF the 5Vth
Division. the Texas and Oklahoma Ma
tional Army Division. ire 26fh Divi-
sion. National Guardsmen from the
same TWO States, and the lG5lh lnfan-
try, or old G9th New York. which re-
ceived heavy Indian requirements 70
fiji the gaps produced in its ranks "
hghting on the Marie. But the Red
skins served in many other uni.s and
in practically al services.
Or. Dixon declared tina. after visit
ing numerous camps and hospitals. ali
Officers interviewed, from the com
handing officer 10 the corporal or
petty officer, who have had Indians
under their command, with one ac-
+
tic commentator Of the brilliance, the
stability, the amenablity to discipline.
the heroisni and valor Of the indian as
a fighting force in oar American army
and navy"
Major Tom Kelley, who commanded
the 3rd Battalion OF the l65th lnfan-
/ try was quoted as saying that the
Indians were "the best and safest re-
/ placements he had at any time.
Are Expert Riilien'en
They ere expert in rifle fighting
game, strong, brave. reseiute," Major
/ Kelley said. They were superior in
scouting ara patrolwork They were
unexcelled in every phase OF every
/ fight.
I II have no hesitancy IN recommenl
ing any one Of my Indians for first
sergeantcy. or even a captaincy. | had
requirements on eight different occa-
sions. so thorough was the defamation
OF my ranks, and these Indians were
unqualifediy the very best replace
ments sent me. Many Of them were
killed or wounded. for they always
sought the dangerous places. aavo-
cate the segregation of Indian troop
/ for | noted that when they were soat
out as a distinct Indian force they did
their best work
What The Proposal Is
Or Dixon's plan proposes the g.
adjustment of permanent regimental
or battalion headquarters On or near
important reservations. a system Of
schools on or near reservations for
/ the purpose of preparing Indian
youths for a military career ana d0
ties of citizenship, and a higher school
10 be known as the Indian West Point,
for instructing Indians in the duties of
non commissioned officers. The plan
would allow Indian non-conmissioned
officers 10 enter regular officers
schools.
Other sections OF the measure would
declare all Indians of one-eigh,i o.
more blood, who shall have reached
the age Of 81 years, or who shall have
7 tahSH the pfesCEibeu b6tu Ol q IeR8 Ii
soldier OF the United States. to be fall
citizens OF the United States Subject
TO a reading and writing test. after
1929 all Indian graduates Of the roseg-
walton would be deel1red fan citizens
On reaching q years of age.
Testifying tefore the House Com
mittee. Or Dixon charged that the
commissions OF Indian affairs does
not believe in Indian citizenship, and
tha, he had prohibited the delivery 10
indians in some sections of copies 0.
testimony before the House Military
Committee in 1917, when Dr. Dixon
argued for the Recruiting of ten OF
aoFe regiments Of Indian cavalry for
use in the war. Under ruling ~ tie
Attorney the commisslones
" Indian aHairs was held 10 hs~e the
same power OF regulation over the
nail OF Indians IS tae warden OF a
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