Ch183 (p2), He wanted to keep the peace
Even though Yana-san hasn’t said exactly where they are at this point, they did settle “a long time ago”… but it seems they must be somewhere farther west than I had hoped, since the railway is causing issues for the natives. Also, these are apparently Apaches (as you will see later), which were not normally to be found in the eastern states. Only captured Apaches would be found out east, like how Geronimo was taken from Arizona to Florida and later toured in a traveling show.
Arizona was not the only area considered Apache territory, and the aptly named state wouldn’t be ideal for farming communities, so it’s still possible Baldo’s farming community is out west, in the Great Plains, and he was only later sent to Arizona to continue the war effort. 🤷🏻♀️
But the natives are desperate for food, and the settlers have made things more difficult for them. The army had been killing off the buffalo 🦬 herds, and the locomotives 🚂 are bringing an influx of new settlers… who also compete for food resources.
Baldo wants to sell food to the natives, but the village seems to prefer using force. Here’re the main issues I have with their ideas:
Baldo wants to sell produce but not meat, which the natives probably desire most. Also, how cheap is cheap? What can the natives trade for food right now? They really should just offer what assistance they can in the form of food gifts.
The guy talking about guns and fortifications doesn’t seem to realize how much money that will cost or how much time it will take to get them.
The guy who understands why it’s happening says they don’t have the funds or resources to cheaply sell their food, or apparently to buy guns, but he doesn’t say what to do, either.
The meeting ends with no known resolution.
