1 ( xv )
2 ment to guard them against sudden attack ; every obstacle to rapid movements,
3 or to the concentration of every man of the whole force, being, as far as
4 possible, removed.
5 5. Themen are taught to consider, that it is their business to protect
6 the country people, and not merely to protect themselves. Whatever the odds,
7 marauders must be met and their plundering expeditions checked, . It is not
8 permitted to a small force to put itself in a position of self-defence and allow
9 the country people to be plundered.
10 6. Another leading principle is, that no private person, whether British
11 subject. or foreigner, is on any account permitted to plunder or kill, and
12 no distinction is made, whether those so plundered or killed be friends or
13 foes. Robbery and murder are treated as equally criminal, whether the
14 victim be a British subject or not.
15 7. believe this rule to have had the greatest imsibla: effect. on ‘tales
16 factors beyond our border. They could entertain no doubt as to the sincerity
17 of Major Jacob’s intentions to put down such crimes, when they saw that he
18 was as active and severe in punishing our own subjects, who robbed or mur-
19 dered the mountaineers, as he was, when the aggressor was a foreigner and
20 the sufferer one of our own subjects.
21 8, The plea of family blood-feud or retaliation, in such cases, is always
22 considered an aggravating circumstance, as proving the most deliberate
23 mali¢s aforethought. This rule of natural justice became very soon thoroughly
24 understood and expected by all parties coneerned.
25 9. No private person is allowed to bear arms without wrvitten permission,
26 This is a cardinal rule in the Frontier arrangements, and is the one regarding
27 the good effects of which I was most sceptical, till I saw the results of its
28 operation, since which I have been convinced that it is one of the main
29 causes of the long-continued tranquillity of the border. It puts an effectual
30 stop to our own people plundering their neighbours, which was in itself one
31 great cause of the bloodshed and disorder on the Frontier in former days. It
32 ensures their ready co-operation with the Troops, especially in giving the |
33 earliest possible intimation of any intended attack, and it makes an armed
34 plunderer a marked man wherever he goes and greatly increases the difficul-
35 ties of eluding pursuit.
36 10. I feel assured that this principle might be carried out with the
37 greatest possible benefit in Guzerat and Kattywar.
38 11, The highest moral ground is always taken in all dealings with the
39 predatory Tribes, who are treated as beings of an inferior nature, so long as
40 they persist in their misdeeds as vulgar criminals and disreputable persons,