The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-27
The Rules of War.

| ton The United States has its inStruc-
tons for the government of armies in the
field, and just what actions are lawful
and what are unlawful are very clearly
defined. These instructions were prepar-
ed by the late DR.. Francis Lieber at the
request of the war department, and were
issued to the army in 1853. They are still
in force, and constitute the standard as
TO the rules OF war on land.
When the commander of besieged place
expels the non-combatants in order to les
sen the number of those who consume his
stock of provisions, il is lawful though
an extreme measure. to drive them oack
so as to hasten a surrender.
Commanders, whenever admissible, in
form the enemy of their intention to bonn
! bard a place. so that the non-combatants.
especially the women and children, may
be removed before the bombardment COM
mences. But it is no infraction of the COM
mon law of war to omit thus to inform
the enemy. Surprise may be necessity.
In modern wars protection of the inoffen-
sive citizen of the hostile country is the
rule; privation and disturbance of pri-
waite relations are the exception.
On the subject of retaliation. instruc-
lions are set forth as follows: Peace is
the normal condition of nations: war is
| the exception. The ultimate object OF all
modern war is a renewed state of peace.
The more vigorously wars are pursued
the better it is for humanity. Sharp wars
are brief
Under the rules of law. victorious ar
my appropriates all public money. seizes
all public movable property until further
direction by its government, and sequest-
ers for its own benefit or that OF its gov
| eminent all the revenues OF real property
belonging to the hostile nation. or govern
ment AS a general rule. however. the
property belonging to churches of hospi-
tails, educational or charitable institutions
shall not be considered public property.
The United States acknowledge and pro-
tect in hostile countries occupied by them
religion and morality, strictly private
property. the persons of the inhabitants.
especially those of women. and the sacred
ness of domestic relations. Offences TO
| the contrary shall be vigorously punished.
! Private property, unless forfeited by
crimes or by the offences Of the owner,
can be seized only by way Of military ne
cessity, for the support or other benent
of the army of the United States.
| All wanton violence committed against
persons IN the invaded country. all de-
struction of property, unless authorized
| by the commanding officer: all robbery
|
! place by main force, all rape. wounding.
manning. or killing Of such inhabitants
are prohibited under the penalty of death.
or such other severe punishment as may
seem adequate for the gravity OF the Of
| fence
| A soldier. officer or private. in the act
| Of committing such violence, and DISC
beying a superior ordering him to alb
stain from 1t, may be lawfully killed on
the spot by such superior.
| Deserters from the United States army,
| having entered the service OF the enemy,
suffer death if they fall again into the
hands of the United States A prisoner of
war is public enemy armed or attached
to the hostile army for active aid. who
| has fallen into the hands Of the cap
tor. either fighting or wounded. on the
| field or in the hospital. by individual sur
render or capitulation. Citizens who &C
company an army, such az suffers, report
ers or contractors, If captured, may be
made prisoners of war. and be detained
as such.
Prisoners Of war are subject to confine-
nent or Imprisonment such as may be
deemed necessary on account of safety
They may be required to work for the
benefit OF the captor's government, ac-
cording to their rank and condition. Those
who attempt escape may be killed in
flight In case of a conspiracy for the
purpose of a general escape the conspira-
tors may be vigorously punished. even
with death.
Outposts, sentinels or pickets or not to
be fired upon. except to drive them in or
when positive order, specified or gener-
al, has been issued to that effect. The
use Of poison in any manner is wholly ex-
cuded from modern warfare. and he who
uses It places himself out OF the pale
OF the law and usages of war.
Whoever Intentionally infiicts additional
wounds on an enemy already disabled or
kills such an enemy. or who orders and en-
courages soldiers to do so, shall suffer
death. II duly convicted. whether he be-
longs to the army of the United States
or is an enemy captured after having COM
mitted his misdeed.
A spy is defined as q person who Sc
crety. in disguise. or under false pretens-
es. seeks information with the intention
OF communicating 1t to the enemy. The
spy is punishable with death by hanging
by the neck. whether or not he succeeds
in obtaining the information or in convey
ing it to the enemy. If citizen OF the
United States obtains information in a
legitimate manner, and betrays It TO the
enemy, be ne military or CIVIL ornCeF,
or a private citizen, he shall suffer death
The law OF war, like the criminal law re-
garding other offences. makes no differ
ence on account OF the differences of sex
es concerning the spy or the traitor.
The bearer OF a flag of truce cannot in
sist upon being admitted He must always
be admitted with great caution. Unnec-
essary frequency is to be carefully avoid
ed. If the bearer OF flag OF truce offer
himself during an engagement. he can be
admitted as a very rare exception. It is
no breach of good faith 10 retain such
flag Of truce. If admitted during an en-
gagement. Firing is not required TO cease
on the appearance of q flag Of truce In
battle.
II the bearer OF flag Of truce. present.
ing himself during an engagement. Is Kill
ed or wounded, It furnishes no ground OF
complaint whatever. II it be discovered. |
and fairly proved. that a flag Of truce has |
been abused for surrepttiously obtaining
military knowledge the bearer Of the flag /
is deemed a spy.
1t Is customary TO designate by certain
flags. usually yellow. the hospitals IN |
places which are shelled. so that the be- |
sIeging army may avoid firing on them. /
Il Il Justly considered an act Of bad faith !
10 deceive the enemy by Gags Of protec- |
ton Such acts OF bad wzith may be good /
cause for refusing 20 respect such Gags.
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