-^ Hostile Forces 



knowledge of the surround intj;- inhabitants, told me that, 

 on the contrary, it was actually to the Christian natives 

 that had been assigned the most prominent roles in the 

 assassination of the missionaries, which was to be under- 

 taken as soon as the fort was conquered. And later it 

 was made plain that all the Europeans were to have been 



A FORSAKEN VILLAGE. IN THE FAMINE YEAR I CAME UPON SEVERAL SUCH 



assassinated, provided the surprise of the fort turned out 

 completely successful. 



Be that as it may, in my opinion an execution of 

 native princes, especially to such a number as nineteen, 

 is a serious mistake, which unquestionably will one day 

 bring its own punishment. 1 consider the policy of 

 intimidation by means of the execution of native princes 

 to be thoroughly false in principle. It is much more 

 likely to sow the seeds of a terrible hatred. 



689 



