INDIAN "CHIEFS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 6

INDIAN "CHIEFS."

Without the slightest consideration for Fenimore Cooper and other writers of Red Tndian stories, the ethnologists at the Smithsonian Institute, in Washington declare that there has never been such a person in North America as an Indian chief (says a writer in the "Manchester iluardian"). These wise men publish their belief that nowhere north of 'Mexico was there any Indian who by heredity or other rig-lit was entitled to call himself a "chief." In none of the tribes was there any person with this ollieial title or the authority of arbitrary command over hi-- fellow-braves. The notable Indians of American history— Massasoit. Teeumseh. Sitting- Bull, and the rest of them—were simply men who, by force of personality and ability, became for a time the recognised leaders. No Indians ever owed them more than a voluntary allegiance, and Indian princes and princesses existed nowhere but in the pages of fiction. Smithsonian professors are no doubt weighty authorities, but, on behalf of all boys throughout the civilised. world, one feels that a protest should be made.