Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/210

 further resistance was impossible. The "sons of the upper reaches of the river" bragged no more but took to flight; the most determined opponents of the invaders retired to distant hiding-places. The Habib was only too glad to bargain for a handsome yearly allowance in consideration of his submission. After a short time neither the fanatical ulamas nor the ambitious guerilla leaders could any longer check the flow of population to the lowland districts and the capital itself. Prices had risen, and there was much to be earned from the kafirs by those who laid down their arms.

We must always recollect that hatred of the infidel is never, any more than any other passion or inclination, the sole ruling motive of a nation.

With peoples like the Achehnese, various causes have combined to make this hatred a habit, which however may be controlled by superior force and unlearnt through continued intercourse; and in this intercourse freedom of trade and some much-needed reforms in the administration of justice are important factors.

Every Achehnese knows and approves the proverb "Agriculture is the prince of all (methods of) breadwinning". A nation holding this opinion and having besides no political unity would, if taken in the mass, be certainly disinclined to maintain a fruitless resistance which would kill their staple industry. Yet it may by a combination of circumstances be partly incited and partly driven to take part in such opposition.

As the territory invested by the Dutch presently became reduced to narrower limits, the party of irreconcilables, which was now in a minority, was inspired with fresh life. Those who for the time being acted as organizers of resistance were for the most part the energetic adventurers of whom we recognize a type in Teuku Uma. The latter, as well as the members of the family of the Imeum of Luëng Bata and others saw in the prevailing confusion a chance of essaying their fortune.

We must not take a onesided view of the motives of these guerilla leaders. Without doubt a disordered state of affairs is favourable to the attainment of their purpose, even though it may not arise from the invasion of an infidel power. It gives them a chance to gain