, 1886-11-04
The LAWS OF CIVILIZED WARFARE.
synopsis of the Regulations GeneEaIl!
Thought To Sc Binding.

synopsis of the Regulations Generally
Thought t" Sc Binding.
For the nearest approach 10 4 state
mcnt of what the laws of var in our own
time really are, We must turn to the
Brussels conference, which met in 1874
at the summons of the same great Rus
sian to whom the world owes the ST.
Petersburg declaration, and which con-
stituted a genuine attempt TO mitigate the
evils of war by an international agree
ment and definition of their limits. The
idea of such u plan was originally sug-
gested by the instructions published i'll
1868 by President Lincoln for the govern
ment of the armies of the United States
in the civil war. The project for such
an international agreement, originally
submitted by the Russian government
for discussion, was very much modified
before even compromise of opinion
could be arrived at on the several points
it contained. And the project so modi-
fed, as a preliminary basis for future
agreement, owing to the timid refusal
of the English government to take
further part i'll the matter, never
unfortunately, reached its final stage of
definite code; but it remains,
nevertheless, the most authoritative ut
terance extant of the laws generally
thought to be binding III modern warfare
on the practices and passions of the COM
batants. The following articles from the
project as finally modified are I'M
doubtedly the most important:
ri Tho laws of xs-aV. IL, NOT alI,xy
to belligerents an unlimited power as to
the choice of means of injuring the
enemy.
Art. 13. According to this principle
are strictly forbidden:
A. The use of poison or poisoned
weapons.
B. Murder by treachery of individuals
belonging to the hostile nation or army.
c. Murder of antagonist who, having
laid down his arms, or having no longer
the means of defending himself, has
surrendered at discretion.
d. The declaration that no quarter
will be given.
Z. The use of arms, projectiles, or
substances which may cause unnecessary
suffering.
f. Abuse of the flag of truce, the ma
tional flag, or the military insignia or
uniform of the enemy, as well as dis
tinctive badges of the Geneva convention.
G. All destruction or seizure of the
enemy's property which is not inpera-
lively required by the necessity of war.
Article -. Fortified places are alone
liable to be besieged. Towns, agglomera-
tions of houses or villages which are
open or undcfended can not be attacked
OF bombarjled.
Art. II. All necessary steps should bf
taken to spare as far as possible build.
ings devoted to religion, arts, sciences
and charity, hospitals and places where
sick and wounded are collected, on con-
dition that they are not used at the same
time for military purposes.
Art. Is. A town taken by storm shall
not be given up to the victorious troops
for plunder.
Art. %. Prisoners of war should be
treated with humanity. All their
personal effects except their arms are to
considered their own property.
Articles sc and 81. The population of
an occupied territory can not be COM.
PEELED to take part in military operations
against their own country, nor to swear
allegiance to the enemy's power.
Art. 80. The honor and rights Of a
family, the life and property of individ-
uais, as well as their religious convic-
tions and the exercise of their religion.
should be respected. Private property
can not be confiscated.
Art. 30. Pillage is expressly forbidden.
-Globe-Deiaocrat Book Review.