live stock, etc., to within the limits of the zone established at their own or nearest town, their property (found outside of said zone at said date) will become liable to confiscation or destruction.  The people will be permitted to move houses from outlying districts should they desire to do so, or to construct temporary shelter for themselves on any vacant land without compensation to the owner, and no owner will be permitted to deprive them of the privilege of doing so.  In the discretion of commanding officers the prices of necessities of existence may also be regulated in the interest of those thus seeking protection.  As soon as peaceful conditions have been reestablished in the brigade these persons will be encouraged to return to their homes, and such assistance be rendered them as may be found practicable.’

“It was deemed best not to compel the people to enter these zones; but they were warned that unless they accepted that protection their property, which consisted almost entirely of food supplies, would become liable to confiscation or destruction, because it might be impossible to determine whether it belonged to hostile or peaceful people.  To put an end to vengeance by assassination, it was determined to make use of the right of retaliation conferred by General Order 100 issued by President Lincoln in 1863.  A circular telegram was published announcing an intention to retaliate by the execution of prisoners of war in case any more were assassinated by insurgents for political reasons.  It was not found necessary to do this.  Assassinations stopped at once.

“As the campaign progressed it became more and more apparent that a large number of poor people had contributed through fear, for the power of the insurgents to collect came to an end after they had lost their power of intimidation.  The efficiency of the protection afforded in such zones was the determining factor in forming the decision and attitude of many of the natives.  The protection afforded was efficient, and from time to time many additional families entered the zones.  The sentiment for peace grew stronger steadily and natives volunteered assistance to Americans at every hand and in every town.  When these volunteers were trustworthy they were armed and sent out into the mountains from which they brought back guns, and insurgents, and hundreds of half-famished men, women, and children who, released from the intimidating influence of the insurgents, entered the zones of protection.

“The most serious discomfort experienced by any one within these areas was caused to the mestizo ruling group, whose members bitterly resented the blow to their prestige in being treated like every one else.  They had been accustomed to have others work for them and obey them blindly.  To a man who could speak Spanish and who had always been the lord of his barrio, [428] the possibility of having to cultivate a field with his own hands was an unthinkable and scandalous thing.  These men suffered and suffered acutely; but it was not their bodies which suffered—­it was their pride.