The Progress., 1898-09-24
OUR PRISONERS OF WAR.
CAPTURED SPANlARDS ALLOWED
UNUSUAL LIBERTIES.


Reasonable Concession Asked For.
It would seem, despite the COM
plants made concerning the treat
ment of some of the prisoners of war
captured on the prize ships early in
the present conflict, that the govern
ment is doing fully as much, if not
more, than the usage of civilized ma
tions demands in this connection. The
practice of nations does not contem-
plate luxurious appointments and fare
for an enemy's forces that may be
captured. When one recalls that,
even under the rules of modern war,
the entire people of vanquished
town, state or nation are still con-
sidered the absolute property of the
victor, anything short Of death would
seem to be concession to humanitar-
ian instincts.
As matter of fact, however, this
sweeping conception of the rights of
the victor has not been insisted upon
in recent wars. Levying contribu-
tons of money, provisions and the
like marks the limit of a victor's in
sistence on his authority over the con-
quered. -t ..t ~gF
All such, however, are not strictly
prisoners of war, and are not gener
ally so treated unless they have joined
in the instruction in partly con-
quered territory. Yet prisoners OF
war are not confined strictly to COM
batants. Correspondents, suffers,
contractors and the scores of others
that make up the train in the wake of
every army, may also be detained as
prisoners OF war.if desired by the VIC.
tors. @ Use z
Under the rules observed in the:
American service, however, chaplains,
members of the enemy's medical staff,
hospital nurses and servants are not
held as prisoners of war unless for
some special reason the commander
may deem it necessary.
All valuables, such as money, jews
els, extra clothing and the like ara.
considered under the American prac-.
tiee the private property Of the indi-.
vidual and are respected as such.
ssYet, insapparent contradiction of this
rule, the writer's on this subject state
that if any great sums were found on
prisoner the surplus above what was
necessary for his maintenance would,
be turned over to the government.
Any considerable sum distributed
among the members of a prisoners
: train s;in the hope Of secreting it;
would be liable to confiscation.
The generally accepted rulesgov-
erning the treatment Of prisoners of
war prescribe that they shall be sub
ject only to such confinement as is
deemed necessary to safety. They
cannot be put at any penal labor, but
still may be compelled to work for
their captors according to their rela-
tive rank and condition. Their fare
meanwhile is expected to be plain but
wholesome.
In case prisoners of war are caught
in the act of escaping they may be
shot. But neither death nor any other
punishment can afterwards be inAict-i
ed upon them because Of such attempt
to regain their liberty.
Any general plot, however, looking
to bringing about rebellion OF gen
eral escape of prisoners may be most
vigorously punished, even to the point
Of death.
liza person who has given no pledge
escapes and is captured fighting with
the enemy, he can still betreated only
rs a simple prisoner of war.
Among the amenities of the gentle
art of treating prisoners is the prac-
tice Of allowing an enemy to retain
bis side arms. Such an act simply in
Dictates an appreciation Of thesbravery
! or other meritorious qualities of an
enemy and is purely mere formality
as the hospitable Spaniard's stock an
nouncement that his house is yours.
The prisoner retaining his side arms
is notperhlitted to wear them as long
as he is in captivity.
Paroles are another form that the
amenities are permitted to take. A
parole, which simply amounts to CIV
ing prisoner certain liberties on con-
dltion that he does not take up arms
against the power granting the lib
erty, may take various forms. 1t
may simply give the prisoner liberty
within certain limits, while OF the
other hand it may even permit him
to return to his own country. Under
the latter condition the person paroled
is hardly restricted at all. Hecould
even bear arms, so long as he was not
arrayed against the government grant,
ing the parole.
Although the person paroled is on