and broke faith immediately—­for the Indians do not possess it.  And even after he had participated in their bestial ceremonies of drawing blood and drinking the blood—­a token of constancy among the Indians—­the latter, it was found, failed to observe them just as readily as the friendship had been confirmed by these customs.  The commander began to suffer almost extreme want, for already he had provisions for but two days, and was compelled to seek them.  Hitherto efforts, such as men of so generous souls and so desirous of peace could make, had been made.  But the Spaniards saw that they were not advantaged, and that need was tightening the cords, so that, if they did not look for food in a different manner, they would doubtless perish at the hands of the Indians, a thing quite opposed to charity.  Hence, it was permitted the Spaniards, in order to sustain life, to take food by harsh means, since indeed kind measures did not suffice.  Nevertheless, the commander, to be justified, took counsel with all the others before doing anything of importance, for he would rather err with the advice of all, than succeed through his own single action.  He called a council of war; he communicated to all the condition of affairs, and what efforts had been made with the Indians in order to make firm peace, and to buy from them with money the food necessary for their sustenance.  This, he said, it was impossible to negotiate with the Indians.  Now necessity forced the Spaniards to get food by severer methods, since the Indians had repulsed mild measures so obstinately.  When the commander stopped speaking, he ordered every one to express his opinion.  Thereupon, the father prior, Fray Andres de Urdaneta, arose and spoke first, as was his custom, because of his experience and his offices, and because all the Spaniards regarded him as a father, from whom must originate the remedy.  He said that natural law conceded to them the right to get provisions by the readiest means, in order that that fleet, which had been constructed for the good of those barbarians, might not perish.  Even if the end of their coming had not been so great and important to those peoples, it was a well-known wrong to refuse them the intercourse most natural to men, without the Spaniards having given any occasion for it.  Inasmuch as they were reduced to the preservation of life itself, they were justified in taking arms, wherewith to get the sustenance that the Indians had unjustly withheld from them and refused them for their money. Quibus necessarium tunc est bellum.  Therefore, he considered war justifiable, since by no other way had any remedy been found among those unreasoning barbarians.  But before commencing war, he said, a solemn declaration of the wrongs should be made, of which the Spaniards would be, in no manner, guilty, since they had labored so sincerely for peace and harmony.  Father Urdaneta’s advice was concurred in unanimously, as was usual.  Accordingly, his advice was followed on this occasion, as being the sanest and most sensible.