Chapter I: Preface

The extracts from Sir Roger Casement's Report, which form part of this work, are made by permission of H.M. Stationery Office. Acknowledgement is also made for assistance rendered, both to the Rev. J. H. Harris, Organising Secretary of the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society, and to the Editor of _Truth_. Portions of Mr. Hardenburg's accounts have been omitted, and some revisions necessarily made, but the statements of adventures and the occurrences remain as in the original and stand upon their own responsibility. The unpleasing task of editing this book--which stands as perhaps the most terrible page in the whole history of commercialism--has been undertaken in the hope that permanent betterment in the condition of the unfortunate aborigines of South America will be brought about.

THE EDITOR.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I. INTRODUCTION 11

II. HARDENBURG'S NARRATIVE: SOURCE OF THE PUTUMAYO 54

III. THE UPPER PUTUMAYO 87

IV. THE CENTRAL PUTUMAYO 111

V. THE HUITOTOS 141

VI. THE "DEVIL'S PARADISE" 164

VII. HARDENBURG'S INVESTIGATIONS: THE CRIMES OF THE
PUTUMAYO 215

VIII. CONSUL CASEMENT'S REPORT 264