Forgery was perpetrated. Decoy letters were forwarded. And when the troops had arrived within eight miles of Aguinaldo's headquarters, and their provisions failed them, and they were too weak to proceed, they sent to Aguinaldo asking for food and he sent them food, and they ate and strengthened themselves for the work they had in hand. I have wondered how that food must have tasted in their mouths. I have wondered whether it did not stick in their throats.
Civilized war is a public act in the real or supposed interests of civilization.
But whatever tends to import into the conflict an element of barbarity, whatever tends to lower the standard of humanity, to retard the progress of civilization, is in flagrant contradiction to the objects for which civilized war is deemed permissible, and subjects those who are responsible to the reproach of engaging in uncivilized warfare. Torture may seem to serve its purpose. It may seem the only means of extracting information necessary to the speedy termination of a war. But, whether it does or not, like assassination, like poisoning, it is a means which we dare not touch. I have been just as loath to believe it as anyone.