Ch.XXIV, p.564, f.1
"Decidedly the situation was becoming critical for the Muhammadans and it
looked as though they would never overcome such a tenacious resistance.
Moreover, why take so much trouble? Why endanger uselessly the lives,--not
of the soldiers, mere cannon fodder they,--but those of the officers and
the generals? Why expose oneself daily to ridicule and to defeat? Why not
follow the example of Shaykh Tabarsi? Why not resort to deceit? Why not
make the most sacred promises, even though it might later become necessary
to massacre those gullibles who had put their trust in them?" (A. L. M.
Nicolas' "Siyyid Ali-Muhammad dit le Bab," p. 350.)