Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-06-04 | Page 20 | Navajos Uprising Imminent, Report

TJDS UPRISING mm, report Indians Cache Provisions and Are Said to Be Ready for Revolt. An impending uprising among th Navajo Indians on their reservation, in i?an Juan county, Utah, and northern Arizona, Ari-zona, believed to be a result of German propaganda, has been discovered by W. IS, Wetmore, a forest ranger, according to news reaching Salt Lake yesterday. Investigations In-vestigations are being made by the Indian agents at Shtprock, N. M., Tuba City, Ariz., and citizens of Moab, Utah, and Kayenta, Ariz. Yesterday advices reaching reach-ing Salt Lake expressed the opinion that the plans of the Indians had so nearly matured it probably would be necessary to send troops to quell the revolt. While crossing the Navajo territory from his station on the Tusayan forest to I'rovo, Mr. Wetmore discovered caches of provisions and supplies sufficient in extent ex-tent to feed a small army. The Indians make no secret of their plans for an outbreak, out-break, he stated. Jle had contemplated crossing the Colorado Colo-rado river at L,ee"s Ferry, Mr, Wetmore said, but finding the boat sunk, was compelled com-pelled to go directly across the Navajo reservation to Bluff. Utah, about 150 mil . His evidence of the revolt was found in the western part of the reservation. reserva-tion. One Indian advised Mr. Wetmore to use another route for his return, as soon there would be "much fighting." Kvidences of the impending uprising 're strengthened by Arthur Spencer, proprietor of Spencer's IJost. on the San Juan river. Mr. Spencer tokl Mr. Wet-morrt Wet-morrt that an Indian had predicted a "big light" .soon. Mr. Spencer advanced the opinion that German propaganda had Inflamed In-flamed t he usually peaceful tribe. Pielflv, leader of the unruly faction of the trite, Mr. Spencer believed. Is head of the proposed revolt. The preparations have been maturing for some time. These were hastened by the version of the war, given the Indians by unthinking white men. who have carelessly told the residents resi-dents of the reservation that the United States is hhtinc and goon will force them to right also. The Indians believe, If they must light, they had rather do it without a preliminary Journey and upon territory of their own chosing. The situation situa-tion has been explained lo the Indian department de-partment at Washington by S. B. Locke of Moab, Utah. j