The New York herald., 1874-07-28
THE BRUSSELS CONGRESS.
Proposed International Code for 'fhe Miti-
cation Of Suffering Dr1fing War.
MEETING GF THE ENJOYS
The Glars Invitation to the
United States.

D''oooIASt July ~, 1919.
The International Congress convened at noon
to-day and sat one hour Baron Jomini was
chosen president 1t was decided that the sittings
should be held with closed DOORS The Congress
adjourned until Thursday. grand banquet Will
be gwen to the delegates tomorrow.
The Origin and Objects OF a Convention
In Which the World is Interested.-A
Proposition to Treat Civic Levies as
Outlaws.
The Congress- to which is to be submitted the basis
Of an international code the subject OF all diicul
ties and complications likely to arise in a state of
war, assembled yesterday, as above stated, at
Brussels. The entire world is interested in
its proceedings. Ever since the Emperor OF
Russia specially Identified himself with the
project, which has particular reference to
the humane treatment Of prisoners and the miti-
cation OF the sufferings incident to warfare, the
statesmen and the press Of Europe have discussed
with renewed animation the probable course the
ENJOYS Of the several Powers who are to meet at
the Belgian capital are likely to pursue. Dificul-
ties which were not at first foreseen have arisen,
chiefly relating to the capture Of reliant vessels
ut sea and the rights OF people whose country is
occupied by an enemy to take up arms against the
invader. The series OF articles TO be considered
were drawn up by the government OF the Gear.
Many OF them are conceived In an enlightened and
merciful spirit towards the conquered, while
others would destroy the right OF volunteers,
hastily summoned to arms in presence OF
great emergency, to combat triumphant
regular military forces Experience during the
past lew years has proved that irregular troops,
when captured have not been always treated as
prisoners OF war; they have frequently been put
10 death on the ground that only regulars have a
right 10 Tight against regulars, and 1t was soon per-
charges would be made by the representatives of
countries lately engaged IN hOstlties. 1t was ad-
mitted that it would be very desirable to agree
upon code touching the exercise OF military au-
thorlty In an enemy's country, the distinction to
be made between combatants and non -cOmbatan
the treatment OF prisoners OF war, the difference
between legitimate and nlegitimate warfare, the
awfulness OF reprisas and the rights and Obga-
lions OF belligerents towards eacn other and to-
wards private persons. The articles prepared by
the Russian government which invited other
Powers TO send ENJOYS to Brussels besides included
several propositions that would, If adopted, affect
operations at sea, which led Great Britain to adopt
very cautious If not hostile course towards the
proposed Congress. 1t will be seen that the envoy
sent by that Power has instructions to retire the
moment any question Affecting maritime war Is
introduced, and that his duty will be confined to
'cpOrting upon the discussions that take place.
The Car publicly expressed wish that the United
States should send representative; but 1t ap-
pears our government has taken no action In the
premises. With these Introductory remarks we
Oass to
THE ORIGIN OF THE CONGRESS-
1t will be remembered that at the close OF our
civil war and before the short OF 1866 between
Prussia and Austria an International Sanitary
Convention was held IN Geneva, and which was
Attended phanthrOnic citizens
parts OF Europe and America. The organization
bore good iruIt, and secured from France, Italy,
Prussia, Austria and Switzerland pledge that
the flag and badge OF Its Members red cross on
white ground-should be protected at all times
on the battle field while the wearers were engaged
succoring the wounded. The labors OF the men,
bers have been instrumental in mitigating the
sunerings OF tens Of thousands of manned and
crippled soldiers during the last struggle Ia
France. They have done much to make war more
humane ana to introduce measures conducive to
great amenoration In its usages. 1t appears that
meeting was held about year since, called by NJ.
Dunant, the originator OF the Geneva Convention,
to consider what steps should be taken with the
view TO tue adoption OF similar convention for
securing certain rights to prisoners Of war, whom
10 was proposed to place under the protection OF
the diplomatic representatives Of neutral Powers.
1t wouid seem that the idea was taken up very
earnestly by the Emperor OF Russia and all the
governments were invited to send representatives
to the Congress, which was to assemble In Brus-
sels During the visit OF the CZar to England last
May he received q deputatiOn OF the Universal ALI
ance at Buckingham Palace. His Majesty informed
them that by his orders the Cabinet OF st. Peters
burg had prepared draft of project 20 be sub
mitted to the various Cabinets. 1t was intended
tc determine the rules TO be observed in time Of
war, especially In reference to the treatment Of
prisoners. The Emperor expressed wish that
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
AM OF other distant countries, to which the early
day fxed for the conference may prevent a formal
diplomatic invitation being addressed, should ap-
point delegates to represent them the occasion.
As soon as the scope OF The new code was made
known the English government began to find
Iault, for reasons stated below, and the leading
London newspapers Joined in a general cry Of
alarm. Germany was favorable to project that
offered an opportunity OF introducing into the
recognized usages OF war some OF the Prussan
niiltary mems ideas, which turn out to be OF
most represslve and extremely harsh nature to-
wards the inhabitants of q country IN the hands OF
an enemy. 1t Is only a few days since that France
found IL was impossible to hold aloOf from the
Congress, and the government, 1t Is reported Will
insist on the exclusion of naval questions, in ac-
cOrdance with the example OF England Swltzer-
land shows disinclinatIOn to join In the confer
ence, but as all the Powers are to De represented
III one sense or anOtner Der absence VIII not Oe
considered important. The United states Minister
Resident at Brussels may probably have some in
structlonS In reference to the con- erenCe
DIR. LIEBBR ON THE UsAGEs OF WAR.
The necessity for the more humane treatment OF
prisoners OF war being apparent, committee who
mad taken an interest In the movement rom Its
inception prepared series OF articles, borrowed
for the most part from the instructions prepared
by Dr. Francis Lieber for the government OF the
armies OF the United States In the field. These
were revised by @ board Of officers and issued in
general orders from the War Department, April
D nr iaha In wn raj or str rule
which were embraced In 157 sections. Chapters
were devoted TO the following among other sub
protection OF persons especially OF women; pro-
lection OF religion, the arts and sciences prisoners
OF war; hostages; booty on the battle fed parti-
assassination and armistices. The principle
was laid down that the more vigorously wars
prosecuted the better for humanity; sharp
wars are BRIEF Commanding generals may cause
magistrates and civil Officers OF hostile countries to
take oath OF temporary allegiance or an oath OF
UiHfQrlQu2