The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-02
HOW TO BEHAVE IN WAR.
Prof. Lieber's Army instructions REFS
sucd by the Government


WASHINGTON, May 3l.-Generai orders
Of Apru a. 1853. comprising instructions
for the government OF armies OF the
United states in the field, have been re-
issued and are being sent to the various
commanders for their guidance during the
present conflict with Spain.
These instructions were prepared by
Francis Lieber. LII D.. the distinguished
jurist. father Of the present 1udge-adNo-
cate-general Of the army and were pup
lshed at the direction OF President LIN
coin, after being formally revised by
board of officers, OF which Major-General
y. a. Hitchcock was president Ihey
were adopted by both France and Prus-
STA in the war between those countries
five years after the civil war. and were
the basis upon which a general European
conference afterward acted in drawing
up an agreement on this subject.
The instructions make twenty-tour
pages of print and cover almost every
conceivable feature Of military conduct
and usage in time Of war and o definition
OF many OF the terms used.
Here arc some OF the points set down
IN the Instructions:
Military necessity admits OF all drect
destruction OF life or limb of armed
enemies. and Of other persons whose de-
struction Is incidentally unavoidable IN
the armed contests Of the war.
Military necessity does not admit OF
cruelty-that Is. the infection OF suffering
for the sake Of suffering. or for revenge,
nor OF manning or wounding except in
fight. nor of torture to extOrt confess
sions. II admits OF deception, but ms
claims acts of pcrhdy. IL is lawful 10
starve the hostile belligerents. armed or
unarmed, so that IL leads 10 the speedy
subsection OF the enemy.
When a commander OF a besieged place
expels the non-combatants. in order TO
lessen the number Of those who consume
his stock Of provisions 1t is lawful, though
an extreme measure, to drive them back
so as to hasten on the surrender.
Commanders, whenever admissible, In
form the enemy Of their intention to bonn
bard a place. but IL is no inIracton OF
the common law Of war to omit thus TO
inform them. Surprise may be a neces-
sity.
Retaliation should never be resorted 10
as a measure Of mere revenge. but only
as a means Of protective retribution. and
moreover. cautiously and unavoidably;
that is to say. retaliation should only be
resorted to after careful inquiry into the
real occurrence, and the character Of the
msdeeds that may demand retribution.
The more vigorously war is pursued the
better IL is for humanity. Sharp wars are
brief
victorious army appropriates all pub
lie money, SEXES all public movable prop,
erty until further directed by its gov
eminent, and sequesters for its own ben
eft or that Of its government all the rev.
enues Of real property belonging TO the
hostile government or nation. The title TO
such real property remains In allegiance
during military occupation and until the
conquest is made complete
The United States acknowledge and pro-
tect. in hostile countries occupied by
them, religion and morality: strictly pri-
vate property: the persons Of the inhab-
itants especially those Of women, and
the sacredness Of domestic relations.
Deserters from the American army
having entered the service of the enemy,
suffer death If they fall into the hands
of the United States.
II is against the usage Of modern war
10 resolve. in hatred and revenge. TO give
no quarter.
Outposts. sentines or pickets are not
10 be fired upon except TO drive them in.
or when a positive order has been issued
10 that effect.
Whoever Intentionally innicts additional
wounds on an enemy already wholly dis
abled or kills him. or orders that this
shall be done, shall suffer death If con-
Victed.