Page:The book of war, the military classic of the Far East (IA bookofwarmilitar00caltiala).pdf/76

72 Death spies are sent to misinform the enemy, and to spread false reports through our spies already in the enemy’s lines.

Living spies return to report.

In connection with the armies, spies should be treated with the greatest kindness; and in dealing out reward, they should receive the most generous treatment. All matters relating to spies are secret.

Without infinite capacity in the general, the employment of spies is impossible. Their treatment requires benevolence and uprightness. Except they be observed with the closest attention, the truth will not be obtained from them.

Wonderful indeed is the power of spies.

There is no occasion when they cannot be used.

If a secret matter be spoken of before the time is ripe, the spy who told the matter, and the man who repeated the same, should be put to death.