The Army and Navy Journal described the recent raids as a continuation of a longstanding pattern of ambiguous relations with Native tribes, marked by a cycle of aggression and appeasement. The metaphor of being "Janus-faced" implies that the U.S. approaches these tribes with conflicting intentions, simultaneously employing military force and offering peace. This duality leads to ineffective outcomes, as it results in confusion and tensions rather than any lasting resolution.

Author Peter Cozzens, in "The Earth Is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West," captures this complex interaction, highlighting how the U.S. government’s mixed signals contribute to ongoing conflict. The imagery of "great smoke" illustrates the futility of these efforts, as both sides engage in a continuous cycle of violence and diplomacy without meaningful progress or understanding.