New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-20

They may be interned, but not incarcerated sav
under very exceptional circumstances II il ne,.
missbe 10 employ them on public works n,o.
vided the labor be neither too onerous nor OF .
humiliatlng character; and they are to receivs
pay while thus engaged at the current marks,
yates which may be doled out 10 them either
each week. or in lump sum at the Termination
of their captivity. Finally, the law expressly
states that II is the Government itself mot ths
military authorities or troops which is respon.
sible for the proper treatment Of prisoners q
war; and the State is pledged TO accord special
encouragement and assistance to any societies
or ASSOCIATIONS that may be formed for the
purpose Of alleviatng the condition Of the can.
tives It IS indeed difficult to imagine more
humane and enlightened law than this lately
enacted by the French Government
There is every reason 10 hope that the Con.
gress about to be organized will achieve its aim
that II viii result in every civilized nation td.
lowing the praiseworthy example set by France.
and that thus one Of the principal horrors Of
war will disappear forever. How great Is ths
horror may be estimated from the fac. that
soldiers in the past have a rule preferred death
10 captivity; and If what l have heard in thh
country is correct. the fate Of those who fell IA
battle during your great Civil War was prefer.
able by far to that Of the Union soldiers 10
Libby Prison and the Southern camp jals Il
is to be hoped that the Congress will not separate
without according some consideration 20 the
treatment OF prisoners Of war In cases where the
latter happen 70 belong 10 savage races Many
Of the petty wars which European Powers from
time to time have on their hands are against
the uncivlized races OF Africa Asia and Poly.
nesia who cannot be expected 10 entertain the
same ideas OF humanity toward their foes that
one looks for in whit people. They are 10
many instances only too ready 70 butcher ana
torture those who may have the misfortune 10
fall into their hands alive and especially has
this been the case in East. West and South
Africa and in Cochin China. The consequence Is
that their white foes are led 70 re,aate In kind.
and TO cast TO the winds all the teachings OF
civilization and Christianity. Thus In the last
war Of the English against the Matabele com.
ment OF no pleasant character has been aroused
IN Europe by the significant tact that tnere were
no prisoners OF war in the hands Of the v;etors.
What became OF them Is still shrouded IN DARK
mystery, and while one is reluctant 70 oelleye
the lnsinuaticns of Mr. Labouchere 70 the enect
that they were put - deaf BY their Engnsn
victors yet II is quite possible that they may
have been turned over to the native allies OF
the latter, at whose hands tney VIII asnureuy
have met an infinitely more cruel late' ln's 10,
after all. precisely what used TO De cone uurins
the past century by the English In this county
and by the French IN Canada white prlsy"ess
OF war being turned over q the tender met1es|
the redskin allies As long as this Is perinhle0
# is idle 70 talk of the humanity OF Chnstsay.
or 20 expect barbarians % appreciate 10 a 70
light the benefits OF civilization Ana, !us,
the same manner as We have SHOWN oy our ~
ouent congresses and by our legislation agains!
slavery and slave-trading that We are incnHs.
N accord ~ sayages the same considerauon -
10 the white races 50 should they oe oIuusss
within the sphere u the impending congress -
connection wiki their rights as begerents az an,
as prisoners of war. And then only VIII me TO-
work Initiated by Russia and hrst put IN"
practice by France be complete ,cur