Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-09
Japan, and the United States after

Japan, and the United States after
wards acceded to il
The chief provisions of the two con-
Ventions are that ambulanceS and mill
tary hospitals shall be neutral. and as
such shall be protected and represented
by belligerentS as long as any sick or
wounded may be therein, but this neu-
tralty is to cease if they should be held
by a military force. Persons employed
in hospitals and ambulances, CompriS-
ing the staff for surepintendence, medi-
cal service, administration. transport
of wounded, as we'll as chaOlains, are
to participate in the benefit of neutral
ity while so employed, and as long as
there remain any wounded to bring in
or to succor. These persons may, more
0cer. even after occupations by the
enemy. continue to fulfil their duties liz
the hospital or ambulance which they
serve. or may withdraw in order TO
reioin the corps to which they belong:
and when they cease from their func-
tons of mercy they are to be delivered
by the occupying army to the outposts
OF the enemy. For the purposes OF this
provision it is understood that the
term ambulance shall Amply to field
hospitals and other temporary estab-
lshments which follow the troops on
the field of battle to receive the SICK
and wounded. AS the equipment of
military hospitals remains subject to
the laws of war. persons attached to
sue hospitals cannot. in Withdrawing,
carry away any articles but such as
are their private property; but under
the same circumstances an ambulance
shall, on the contrary, retain its equip
ment.
Inhabitants of the country who help
to bring in the wounded will be re-
spected and remain free. The generals
of the heligerent powers must make 1t
their care to inform the inhabitants of
the anneal which is addressed to their
humanity, and of the privileges of neu-
traity which they will enjoy in conse-
ouence of it. These privileges may be
important. Any wounded man enter
tanned and taken care of in house
shall be considered as protection
| thereto. Any inha bitant who shall have
| entertained wounded men in his house
| shall be exempted from the quarte1lnS
| of troops as we'll as from part OF the
| contributions Of war which may be
| iniposed: in such cases. account only
| shall be taken in an equitable manner
of the charitable zeal displayed by the
habitants."
| C0mmanders-in- chief are empowered
| to deliver Immediately to the outpoSts
| of the enemy the hostile soldiers WhC
| have been wounded in an engaSemnt
| WIN circumstances permit this to be
| done, and with the consent of both par
ties. Those who. after their wounds
are healed are recognized as incapable
of further military service. must be
sent back to their own country. Others
| may he sent back, on condition OF then
not again bearing arms during the CON
tinuance of the war.
For the navy. like rules of mercy are
made The boats which, at their own risl
and peril during and after an engage
ment pick up the shlpWrecked or wound
ed or which convey them. when plcket
mn on board a neutral or hospital ship
are 10 enjoy a neutral character unit
| their mission is accomplished, at least a!
far as the positions of the ships engaged
and the other conditions of the battle
| will permit. The appreciation OF theS'
| conditions is intrusted to the humanity
| of all the combatants: but the Wrecked
and wounded must not serve again dfu
ing the continuance OF the war. AN.
merchant ship, to whatever nation Sh
may belong if charged exclusively witt
the removal of the sick and wounded. /
privileged as neutral: but the more lacl
noted on the ships books. OF her haNlh'
been visited by an enemy's cruiser. rem
ders the sick and woun1ed aboard OF ne
Incapable of serving during the rontlnu
ance of the war, their status in ms re
spetc being like that of paroled prison
ers. The cruisers shall even have rgh
10 nut aboard an officer to accompan
the convoy and thus verify the good falt
| of the operation. If the merchantma
carries also cargo. her neutrality WI
protect that. unless it contain article
contraband of war.
t Belligerents retain the right to interdlc
n nelltralized vessel from all conlmun
cation and from any course when the
may deem preiudicial to the secrecy 6
i their operations In urgent cases, IN
I commanders-in-ch may enter into cor
yentions for the temporary ana specl'
nal1tra liZation of vessels intended Tor IN
n removal of the sick and wounied. If
= sick and wounded, when embarked, sha