National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-06
THE BRUsgRLS ooNqRESs.


fact that the proposition for this move.
ment should come from that one Of the
great Powers which has hitherto made the
least pretension 10 the higher plane Of Chris
tian civilization. Perhaps Il is quite as
significant while far less agreeable, to no
dee the reluctance with which Great Britain
and France have consented to partial rep
resentatlon In, the convention. It might
very naturally have been supposed that
these pioneers In science, Christianity and
civilization would have ct once accorded 8
prompt and willing affirmative assent, not
only to the discussion Of the platform Of
principles put forth as basis Of agreement
by Russia, but 10 their adoption also. The
Emperor defines war 70 be contest between
nations and their armies, and not between
their subjects as individuals. he lays down
the proposition that the occupation of o
portion Of the territory Of State by the
army Of It's enemy completely suspends the
legal authority Of that State and substitutes
that Of the enemy, % that II any Of the
population are subsequently found In arms
they will not be treated as prisoners Of war.
At the same time the army Of occupation
has no right 10 seize churches, establish.
ments Of charity and instruction, or conso-.
Grated TO scientific ends, and the destruction
or seizure Of monuments, works Of art or
museums Is severely reprehended. Among
the means Of war which are forbidden are
the use Of poison, treachorouS murder, the
murder Of prisoners, and the refusal 10
give quarter, the threat Of determination
toward Q garrison that obstInAtely de-
tends fortress, the employment Of arms
causing useless suffering. such a. pro-
Jectiles flled with glass or explosive balls
Of loss than 400 grammeS In weight,
None but fortified cities can be besioged.
An open city which 4 not defended by
troops can neither be besisged nor bonn.
barded, and no city can DO bombarded
without notice, nor can Il b plllAged after
its capture, Persons captured In balloons
are not spies. Correspondents and other
persons who accompany the armies, al.
though non combatants, can be made priso-.
ners Of war, but prisoners Of war are not
criminals, but legal enemies. They must
therefore, be exposed to no violence or III
treatment They can be confined to,a city
fortress or locality, but cannot be Imprisoned
like criminals. A prisoner Of war may be
killed while trying to escape, but once re-
captured he cannot be punished for his At
tempt though the surveillance can be In
creased Prisoners Of war can be en-
ployed on certain public works which are
not fatiguing or humiliating considering
the grade and social position they occupy In
their country. provided these works have
no relations to the operations Of the war.
The provisions Of the Geneva Convention
with regard to the wounded TO neutrality
of hospitals Embulances, &c, are repeated
and strengthened, and the rights Of the
military authorizes In relation 70 private
persons are fixed. The limits within which
acquisitions and contributions can Be de-
manded are also laid down. In treating Of
the relations between the bellIgerents It Is
suited that "ths diplomatic and consular
agents Of neutral powers have the right
''of demanding from the bolligorent parties
''the authorization 70 leave the theatre Of
military operations without hindrancej
''but 10 caSe Of absolute military necessity
'the satisfaction Of similar demands can be
adjourned 70 more opportuhs moment
Il was supposed that the discussion Of
those questions would be public, and there.
fore disseminated and commented on by
the press, but Il appears that the Congress,
amor having elected tho Baron Jomlnl
president decided 70 III With closed doop,
The United States having very fully do.
fined their status upon these questions dur.
Ing the late civil waF, and more recently In
the High Join. Commission which nego.
tinted the treaty Of Washington, and IN the
arbitration resolutions Of the Senate, reason.
ably declined 70 make party 10 this Con.
greas, which they conceive 70 be purely an
European AfIalr
While the principles laid down by the
Emperor OF Russia must commend them.
selves 70 tho Judgment and reason Of the dis.
passionate everywhere, Il win be aomoWhRt
strange II the arguments Adduoed In their
discussion VIII not apply with equal force In
favor Of the utter abolition Of war aud the
Of high courts Of arbitration |
for the settlement Of oil national disputes.
The code duSllo has boon almost univtr.
lElly condemned by civilized Governments |
N q mode Of the adjustment Of private din.
cultleS, even though surrounded by all tho
couFteSleS and humAnltles consistent with |
such hostile meetings II It's Just 70 class
duelS a. fslonloS or capital offences, may
not the present discussion at BFussels lead |
10 the opinion that wars OF duels between
nations are great national crimes In that
hey involve the lives and property Of In.
nocent people who have no personal Inter.
,st In tho resultg' At all events the Con.
yress and in discussions can result In no
harm. Il Is step In advance which gives
hope Of great results In the near future.
Let US hope that they may be such as win
reflect honor upon all Christendom. Any
advance in civilization or Christianity which
may be adopted by the European Powers
will be sure to meet hearty response from
he United States, even 10 the substitution
Of courts Of arbitration for resort 70 arms.