The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-07-30
RULES FOR WAGING WAR
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GOVERN
MENT OF OUR ARMIES,

Ibe Same Regulations That Were Adopt
ed by France and Prussia in the War Be-
tween Those Countries Notice of Bonn
bardment Not Necessary-Martial Law.
General orders No. 100, of April "a.
1863, comprising instructions for the
government of armies of the United
States IN the field, have been reissued
and are being sent to the various COM
manders for their guidance during the
conflict with Spain. These instruc-
lions were adopted by France and
Prussia III the war between those coun-
tries, and upon them general Euro
pean conference afterward based an
agreement on this subject.
The instructions define martial law
as military authority exercised in &C.
cordance with the laws and usages of
war. A place, district or country &C.
cupied by an enemy stands in conse-
quence of the occupation under the
martial law of the invading or occupy
ing army. 1t extends to property AID
to persons, whether subjects of the
enemy or aliens.
Whenever feasible martial law is
carried out in cases of individual Of
tenders by military courts, but sem
tence Of death must be executed only
with the approval of the chief execu-
tive, providing the urgency of the case
does not require q speedier execution,
and then only with the approval of the
chief commander. Martial law should
be less stringent in places fully occu-
pied and fairly conquered.
Military necessity admits of all
direct destruction of life or limb of
armed" enemies, and of other per-
sons whose destruction is incidentally
unavoidable" in armed contests.
Military necessity does not admit
of the infiction of suffering for the
sake of suffering or for revenge, nor
OF manning or wounding except in
t99ht, nor of torture to extort confess
sions.
1t admits of deception, but disclaims
acts Of perGdy.
tits lawful to starve the hostile be-
lgerents, armed or unarmed, as it
leads to the speedier subsection of the
enemy. When the commander of a
besieged place expels the non-com-
batants in order to lesson the number
of those who consume his stock of
provisions it is lawful, though an ex-
IRENE measure, to drive them back so
as to hasten on the surrender.
Commanders, whenever admissible,
inform the enemy of their intention
to lombard place, but it is no in
fraction of the common law of war to
omit thus to inform them. Surprise
may be a necessity.
Retaliation will never be resorted
to as measure of mere revenge, but
only as means of protective retribu-
ton and, moreover, cautiously and
unavoidably-that is to say, retalia-
ton shall only be resorted to after
careful inquiry into the real occur
renee aud the character of the misdeeds
that may demand retribution.
The more vigorously war is pur-
sued the better it is for humanity.
Sharp wars are brief.
A victorious army appropriates all
public money, seizes all public nova
bic property until further directed by
its government and sequesters for its
own benefit or that of it's government
all the revenues of real property be-
longing to the hostile government or
nation. The title to such real prop
erty remains in allegiance during mill
tary occupation and until the conquest
is made complete.
The United States acknowledge and
protect, in hostile countries occupied
by them, religion and morality, strictly
private property, the persons of the
inhabitants-especiallyt those of women
and the sacredness of domestic re-
lations.
Deserters from the American army
suffer death if they fall into the hands
of the United States.
It is against the usage of modern
war to resolve in hatred and revenge
to give no quarter.
Outposts, sentinels or pickets are
not to be fired upon except to drive
them in or when a positive order.
special or general, has been issued to
that effect.
Whoever Intentionally inhicts addi-
tional wounds on an enemy already |
wholly disabled, or kills him or ord
ers that this shall be done, shall suf-
fer death if convicted.
Animal "Famine Funds"