objectionable in it, is returned.

"The manuscript is an interesting autobiography of a notable
Indian, made by himself. There are a number of passages which,
from the departmental point of view, are decidedly objectionable.
These are found on pages 73, 74, 90, 91, and 97, and are indicated
by marginal lines in red. The entire manuscript appears in a way
important as showing the Indian side of a prolonged controversy,
but it is believed that the document, either in whole or in part,
should not receive the approval of the War Department."

The memorandum is published that the objections of the War Department
may be made known to the public.

The objection is raised to the mention on pages seventy-three and
seventy-four of the manuscript of an attack upon Indians in a tent at
Apache Pass or Bowie, by U. S. soldiers. The statement of Geronimo is,
however, substantially confirmed by L. C. Hughes, editor of _The Star_,
Tucson, Arizona.

On pages ninety and ninety-one of the manuscript, Geronimo criticised
General Crook. This criticism is simply Geronimo's private opinion of
General Crook. We deem it a personal matter and leave it without
comment, as it in no way concerns the history of the Apaches.

On page ninety-seven of the manuscript Geronimo accuses General Miles of
bad faith. Of course, General Miles made the treaty with the Apaches,
but we know very well that he is not responsible for the way the
Government subsequently treated the prisoners of war. However, Geronimo
cannot understand this and fixes upon General Miles the blame for what
he calls unjust treatment.

One could not expect the Department of War to approve adverse criticisms
of its own acts, but it is especially gratifying that such a liberal
view has been taken of these criticisms, and also that such a frank
statement of the merits of the Autobiography is submitted in the
memorandum. Of course neither the President nor the War Department is in
any way responsible for what Geronimo says; he has simply been granted
the opportunity to state his own case as he sees it.

The fact that Geronimo has told the story in his own way is doubtless
the only excuse necessary to offer for the many unconventional features
of this work.

PART I

THE APACHES

GERONIMO

CHAPTER I

ORIGIN OF THE APACHE INDIANS

In the beginning the world was covered with darkness. There was no sun,
no day. The pe