The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-21

The ultimate aim in the actions of men
and of communities ought, and | pre-
sumo will be admitted, to be, to conform
to the divine precept, do unto others
as you would that others should do I'M
to you"
I Ihave said that the rules of interna-
tional law are not to be traced with the
comparative distinctness with which
municipal law may be ascertained-al-
though even this is not always easy. l
would not have it, however. under
stood that 1 should today advocate the
codification of International law. 1t is
in a state of growth and transition. To
codify it would be to crystalline it; I'M
codified it is more flexible and more cas-
lily assimilates new rules. While agree
ing, therefore, that indeterminate points
should be determined and that we
should aim at raising the ethical stan
dard, I do not think we have yet reach
ed the point at which condification is
practicable, or if practicable would be
q public good.
HUMANE TENDENCIES.
Turning to the later tendencies which
characterize international law. which,
he said, were their greater humanity,
Lord Russell said:
was recently reported to have cut off
the right arms and feet of 500 prisoners,
the civilized world felt thrill of horror
Yet the time was when TO treat prison
ers as slaves and permanently disable
them from again bearing arms. were
regarded as common incidents of bel
ligerent capture. Such acts would once
have excited no more indignation than
did the inhumanities of the African
slave trade before the days of Garrison
and Wilberforce.
Let us hope that it is no longer posi-
bic to do as Louis XIV. did in his de-
vastation of the palatinate, or do as he
threatened to do-break down the dykes
and overwhelm with disaster the low
countries. Let us hope, too, that no
modern Napoleon would dare to decree
as the first Napoleon did in his famous
or infamous seront brulees edict Of 1910.
The force OF public opinion is too strong
and it has reached a higher moral
plane.
A barerecital of some Of the important
respects in which the evils OF war have
been n1itigated by more humane Gus
toms must suffice. Among them are:
a the greater immunity from attack
of the persons and property or enemy
subjects in hostile country; 90 the re-
strictions imposed on the active opera
tons of a belligerent when occupying
an enemy's country; 81 the recognized
distinction between subjects of the enc
nv. combatant and non-comoantant;
% the Difference accorded To cartels'
safe conducts and flag OF truce; to) the
protection secured for ambulances ana
hosnitals and for all engaged IN tend
ing the sick and wounded-oT whlch the
Geneva Red Cross convention Oh 1854
IS a notable illustration; to) the con-
domination of the use of instruments OF
warfare which causes needless sui1er-
ing.
In this fieldofhumane work the Unit
ed States took a. prominent part " hSh
the civil war broke out President LIN
coin was prompt in intrusting 10 Pro-
fessor Franz Lieber the duty OF prepar-
ing a manual OF systematized ruies TOT
the conduct of forces in the f1eiG-rales
aimed at the prevention OF tslose scenes
OF cruelty and rapile which were 10Y
merly a disgrace to humanity mat
manual has. / believe, been utlnzed 'pF
the governments OF England. france
and Germany.
Even more important are the changes
wrought IN the position Of DeITals IN
obIiga lions Of neutrality. are IN gTea1
measure left free and unrestricted IN
the pursuit OF peaceful trade
WAR IN THE AIR
Put in spite OF all this who can say
that these times breathe the sPir1t OF
peace? There Is war IN the ali Ma
tons armed 20 the teeth p-ats OF Peacs'
but ehere is no sense of peace. One
sovereign burthens the industry OF Ms
people 10 maintain military and SaNai
armament at war strength ana rs
ne.ghbor does the ike and 5osilneS =
by the example Of the other; ana Eng
land. ins1iar though SIC be, Stth aer
imperial interests scattered Ehe SoFia
over. follows. OF Is forcsd 10 .ossoN. II
tF.e. wake. II there y no war SneFe =
at best an armed peace Figures are
appalling I take those for ~ N
Austria the annual cost OF army aud
navy Vas. in round numbers. Hslsee-s9'
n France. III. 600 GO; in Germany a.
80. zoe: in Great BFitasa- $3.50 90 n
Itaiy. rs. CO .0oe. and n Russia fS-.-
eSsa. o0a.
Il is ID WONDER that nen-eernest
msn-ea;auslas,s II y0u IKE. Impressed