The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-08

- -, 10y must also De led and clothed
oy the country OBTAINING them Tbns
We would be required 10 sI,stsj,, ,,,. So So
ISM prisoners comfortably. although w.
would AFTER The close of the war. send
III pollte little bill to Spain. demanding
that the expense be refunded Others ~
slues spies forfeit their rights of nrotec-
'ioh as prisoners of war and can be exc
cuted when captured Thus. one of on,
courts martial might sentence 10 death a
pouy OF spanish guerrillas, prisoners of
war VINO have been released under .prom-
lse that they will not fight again. or de-
serters from our own army.
1t would of course. be a violatio,, Of ,lo
accepted rules of war to injure uon-com-
balants or take them prisoners of var
except IN such cases as sieges. where ov-
cry citizen must defend himself as best he
cah' Ola men, women and children are
always considered nom combatants In
some countries their privilege are extend
ed TO ministers of the gospel A declara
ton OF war between Spain and this ,oun
Try would cause all foreign nations not
engaged IN the struggle to regard us both
with the utmost care. As soon as the de-
ciaraton should be made il would be the
duty of President Mckinley. through our
foreign ambassadors and ministers TO i'm
medlately notify the ruler of every neu-
tfal nation. Unless such formal notiiica-
uoh should be given a government could
not be held responsible for any breach Of
the neutrality laws. No neutral state
such as Mexico, for instance, if so in
formed could permit an armed force he
longing TO either side to remain on its ter
rltory While contemplating an attack
Should the force be defeated army or
fuSitives taking refuge from the pursuit
of the enemy, Mexico would be simply
&c sfal;f
to come over the line. According to the
general practice they would be disarmed
and retained by Mexico until the war
should close. Likewise, we could not
properly march body of forces through
France, into Spain, although the waters
of France in such a case would not be
considered as neutral territory unless
France should especially stipulate that
they should not be passed over by either
belhgerent.
Should we take the Philippines. for ex-
ample we could not sell them to any neu-
trail government, like Japan or China, dur
ing a war with Spain, or until our right to
the conquest should become properly con-
firmed by treaty or otherwise.
A neutral country would get itself en-
tangled in a war between Spain and the
United States should it furnish us with
troops, arms or warlike material after war
should be declared. Thus it is essential
that both governments purchase their nee
essary ships and equipments abroad be-
fore the first gun is heard. Ii would,
therefore, be unsafe for us to place large
order for arms or ammunition in the hands
of a foreign power lest it be untitled at
the outbreak of hostilities. Spain, of
course, would become much more of pau
per than she is now in case of war. No
neutral government could allow itself or
its citizens to make her gifts of money or
to lend her money without interest. Any
one willing to run the great risk could lend
her the money under the condition that in
terest be paid. Money, of course, is an
article of commerce, and both Spain and
The United States, If at war, could buy it
in a foreign market, just as they could po-
tatoes.
1t would be an unfriendly act for any
neutral government, as one of the Central
American Republics, for instance, to be-
come a base of supplies to either belliger-
ent nation. Some nations have been so eau
tious as to close their ports to two nations
at war Should no such rule be laid down
a Spanish man-of-war might run into a
Central American port merely to make
such repairs as might save her from dis
tress or to take aboard sufficient coal to
enable her to sail only to the nearest Gu
ban port. Ii would be an act unfriendly to
the United States to give a Spanish vessel
sufficient coal to carry her on a mission of
war. Should such a vessel be followed into
the neutral port by one of our warships
we would be expected to make no attack
and she would be given twenty-four hours
start of us i'm order to avoid conflict near
by. Some nations, such as England, highly
Versed in the etiquette of war, would en-
force the rule that war vessels of either
Spain or this country should not remain in
port for more than twenty-four hours, ex-
cept in cases of bad weather or when dis
abled
War between two important governments
necessarily causes neutral nations a deal
of trouble, since they must suffer numer-
Gus interferences with their commerce. A
Spanish or United States man-of-war
would have the right TO search any private
vessel of a neutral nation which il might
suspect of carrying on contraband trade
or committing a breach of blockade. Mail
steamers of neutral government could
likewise be searched, but the laws of war
forbid the opening of a neutral govern
ments mail bag, except in cases of very
grave suspicion. A mail steamer, unlike an
ordinary private vessel, would, however,
be allowed to proceed on its way after
giving up only such articles as might be
considered hostile by the searchers.
Should warfare be waged in Cuba, Spain
would suffer more seriously from blockade
than would we. On account of our enor-
NOUS network of railroads between differ
ent ports, a blockade of any one part of
our coast would not arrest commerce. Such
would not be the case in Cuba, whose linn
tied seaboard could be readily governed.
The laws of war are the rules which ma
tious have instituted among themselves 10
govern contests such as the game which
MANY think will be played between Presj-
dent Mckinley and the Queen Regent of
SDain. During such an exciting contest
The neutral nations of the world would
look on as interested spectators. Since the
real purpose of modern warfare is to re-
etore or defend national honor. in the eyes
of the world at large, the rules OF the
game would be adhered to as strictly as
nossi5le. at least so far as We are con-
rerned. that no one could accuse US of an
unfair victory.
H.. charity Donation.
Tho Perry County (Pa) Freeman says