Show CALVIN ALVIN TELLS RED MEN MEM EN 0 u. u S S1 S. REALLY TRYING TO HELP THEM Coolidge Speaks Before Indians On Reservation ADMITS AD INJUSTICES L. L Deprecates Loose Talk Tak And Sentimentality On Problem PINE RIDGE R. R S D D. Aug 17 By By The Associated Press Much Much revs ress re has been made by the Indian In his lila adjustment to the new order of things but his problem still Is one of manifold complexities which cannot be solved by sentimentally and loose talk President Coolidge today told the red men of the Pine Ridge reservation Recalling that he was the first president to speak especially to the Indians cf of c America since the passage of the act which made all native-born native Indians citizens of the United States Mr Coolidge assured them that the government was doing what It could to make them all respected and self self- supporting citizens COMPLEX AFFAIR He cited some sone of ot the great mass massof massof of ot rules decisions regulations and court orders which concern Indian affairs and added that these complicated complicated complicated by the intrusion of the Indians Indian's own tribal customs have resulted often k In n confusion much trouble and andIn andIn andin In many cases Injustice to the In Indians In- In These few tew citations he added should be sufficient to Indicate the tle manifold complexities of the nations nation's Indian problem and to convey comey the suggestion that its practical solution cannot be affected by appeals to sen son sentimentality by loose talk blk by Ill con legislation by hysterical cam cam- campaigns campaigns campaigns or by the insistence of ot those In charge of the administration of Indian affairs that their policies and methods ate arc always the only right ones ones ones- Mr lr Coolidge declared that the In Indian In- In Indian dian dJan problem has been a fruitful subject of controversy for many years but that now zt et t least it was being solved through peaceful rela rela- relationships between the red and white Whiteman man Peace and understanding and co eO now reign everywhere e he added TRIBES SEPARATE SEl R RTE TE The Indian problem on its face appears r to be one simply of effective social service e I op practical c philanthropy flae and education Mr Coolidge said As Asa a matter of ot fact it is a sided many-sided question complicated by complexities There are over tribes and bands in the United States each with v Its own name tongue history traditions code of ethics and customs which have the effect of law Jaw with Indian tribes It is a curious fact lct that most people in this country seem to belie e that the Indians are a homogeneous o people and n can cais be dealt d fl ll with wills as a unified race or nation The exact contrary is the outstanding fact which has made the Indian problem lem a most moot difficult one Today we find that the Indian people recently primitive not so far from the hunter stage are surrounded by twentieth century conditions which are alien to their racial characteristics their tribal ways and states of mind While thousands of them have suc sue succeeded succeeded In adjusting themselves to the new order of things a great portion of or them mostly the older ones still cling to the old ways stoically refus refus- refusing refusing ing to go further along the modern road They The wish to live and die ac according ac- ac accordIng according cording to the old traditional ways WS of the Indians and they should be t-e per per- permitted permitted to do so Many Indians are still in a primi primi- primitive primitive tive state although strongly Influenced Influenced Influenced by white contacts and thou thou- thousands sands sanda are as civilized ci as their neigh neIgh- bors On one hand we find a con con- considerable considerable considerable proportion are so little ad- ad Continued on Page lafe Two UI S TRYING TO AID INDIANS Continued from Page Pae One that they can speak but few English words worth while on the other hand we find tens of thousands who speak read and write the English language and a 0 large percentage of this class have had a grammar school education and many arc are graduates of high schools colleges and universities A substantial number of Indians have attained high places In business the learned professions in the arts sciences sciences and in politics Within recent years agriculture and stock raising have been gaining ground in the economic progress of the Indian people but many of them are still unable at this time to take their places in the world as sup self porting farmers mechanics manufacturers manufacturers manufacturers and skilled laborers WAR SERVICES Concluding his address Mr Cool- Cool Coolidge Coolidge CoolIdge idge paid a high tribute to the part taken by the Indian in the world war More than served in armed forces of the nation he said many of ot them with distinction Those of us who were present en the occasion of the burial of the un un- unknown unknown Unknown known soldier he said will not soon forget the closing act of the ceremony A group of old Indian warriors ne neof neof of whom were Sioux arranged them them- themselves themselves themselves selves around the tomb while one act act- actins acting Ing ins for the whole Indian people laid upon the bier his war bonnet This v not an idle gesture It symbolized the outstanding fact that red men and their neighbors had been brought together as one people and that never again would there be hostility between the two races As one of those old warriors said who knows but that this unknown soldier was an Indian boy I |