Evening star., 1928-12-02


Indian problem" in this country which
VIII: perplexed the Govern
4Aulan ment and caused public
prohlsr anxiety and distress. The
Star In its issue of No
vember ~, 1878, thus discusses the
matter
Various circumstances have COM
bined to give the Indian ques-
ton q present interest, even greater
than that which It's conceded impor-
tance will always cause 1t to command
Indian outbreaks and the subsequent
warfare Of words as to the RESPONSE
bility for them have not permitted
the Nation to forget the existence OF
its wards. The proposal to transfer
their management from the Interior to
the War Department has sent a con-
gressional committee on long journey
through the West to investigate the
matter. This committee Is now sitting
in this city, with the problem still un-
der consideration, and it is probable
that at the coming session Of Congress
action, based upon the results of their
labors, will be taken.
IF the method adopted by Commits
Sioner Hayt In his annual report Is
not entirely satisfactory to those who
looked for bitter controversial docu-
ment from him, 1t will be the more
highly approved by those who have de-
sired a clear statement of the actual
condition of the Indians and new and
practical suggestions as to the best
policy to be adopted by the Govern
ment In their management. The COM
missioner would reduce the agencies
by consolidation to very small num-
Der, plan which would decrease the
danger of conflict between whites and
Indians, would lessen expenses and by
the sale OF the abandoned lands would
provide funds to meet them: The title
OF the Indians to the lands provided
them under the proposed arrangement
is to be made permanent. A certain
tract is to be given to each without the
power Of alienation for 25 years. While
the causes Of Indian war are thus
largely removed or modified, the proba-
bility Of outbreaks Is not overlooked
and to aid in such emergencies 1t Is
suggested that an auxiliary Cavalry
force Of Indians be established.
"The argument of the commissioner
on this last recommendation seems to
establish that il We can trust such an
auxiliary force, as England'S experience
with the Sepoys and our own expert
ence with Indian scouts would suggest
that We can, the adoption of the plan
would 60 far toward settling the Indian
question. The control of the Indians
would be then, as 1t is now. the func-
ton of our national police, the Army,
and their power to control would be
strengthened and made effective. The
dians and the management of their af-
fairs would remain as at present. with
those to whom the peace policy has
confided them, but under conditions far
more favorable to success"
The Hamburg-American steamship
Pommerania, bound for Hamburg from
Dangerous in INV collision iIs; "SS NoSemH ss1a.
Speed at Sea. Folkestone Fol to- 4SS; England. Ud
and approximately so lives were lost.
The Star Of November 20 thus COM
mentS:
Run down In a dense fog Is the
gist Of the story. 1t Is the story that
Is likely to be repeated with still great
er loss Of life, unless there shall be
some means brought to bear to compel
more care in running through fogs in
the seas crowded with travel. like the
North Atlantic and the British Chan
mel, The captain of the Pommerania
was an ofiicer of much experience, but,
according to the reports, he must have
been pushing through this dense fog at
a considerable rate of speed. and the
first officer, who was in charge at the
moment Of the collision. declines to
say whether the whistle was blowing at
the time Of tie disaster