The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1898-04-20

tured alive the bailoonis,s could be held
only as prisoners of war. A man in uni
form of the United States caught in the
act of carrying Information to a Spanish
commander would be executed, if caught
by us.
PRESIDENT As PRISONER OF WAR.
Late into the Middle Ages death or
slavery was the only prospect of a pris-
oner of war. Should "A parcel of our
trCes surrend &c 20 spain or be captured
not only all com batanls, but such IL
cOmbataLts as newspaper correspond
ents, guides. messengers, balloonlsts,
telegraphers or contractors, either pres
ent with the army or assisting it, might
be taken as prisoners of war. Should
the Spanish force their way to Washing
ton they might take any of our states
men prisoners of war, including the
president, The International laws de-
mand that all prisoners of war be sub
iected only to SuCL straint as would be
necessary to prevent their escape. They
would be given as great liberty as posi-
BILE and could be punished only for
breach of discipline or attempted escape.
Some nations provide money allowances
for pris ners of war. They must also be
fed and clothed by the country detainiH :
them. Thus we would be required TO
sustain our Spanish prisoners COmfOrta-
bly,, although we would, after the close
of the wa", send in a polite little bill! TO
Spain, demanding that the expense be
refunded. Others besides spies forfeit
their rights of protection as prisoners of
war and can be executed when captured
Thus, one of our courts marshal might
sentence to death body of Spanlsh
guernllaS, prisoners Of war who have
been released under the promise tina
they will not fight again, or deSerters
from our own army. 1t would, of course,
be a violation of the accepted rules of
war to injure non.Conbatnts or take
them prisoners Of war except in such
cases as sieges, where every citizA n must
defend himself as best he can. Old men,
women and children are always consider
ed nOn-COm OatantS. In some countries
their privileges are extended to minis
tiers of the gospel A declaration of
war would cause all nations not engaged
in the struggle to regard us both with
the utmost care. AS soon as the declara-
ii n should be made it would be the du-
ty of the president, through our foreign
ambassadors and ministers, to immedi-
ately notify the ruler Of every neutral ma
ton. Unless such information should
be given a government could not be held
responsible for any breach of the Leu-
trality laws. No neutral state, such as
Mexico, for instance, if so informed
could permit an armed force belonging
to either side TO remain on its territory
while contemplating an attack.
CASE OF GLANDS OFF"
Should the force be a defeated army
or fugitives taking refuge from tie pur-
snit of the enemy Mexico would be sim
ply extending its hospitality by allowing
them to come over the line. According
to the general practice they would be
disarmed and retained by Mexico unit
the war should close. Likewise, we
could not properly land a body of forces
rough France into Spain, although the
waters of France in such a case would
not be considered as neutral territory
unless France should especially stpulaUe
that they should not be passed over by
either belIigerent. Should we take the
philippines, for example, we could not
sell them TO any neutral government,
Spain, or until our RICH. to the conquest
should become properly confirmed by
treaty or otherwise. 4 neutral country
would get itself entangled ia war b.
tween Spain and tue United States
should it furnish US with troops, arms
or warike material after war SHOULD be
declared. Thus it is essential that both
governments purchase their necessary
ships and equipments abroad before The
first gun is heard. 1t would, therefore,
be unsafe for us to place a large order
for arms or ammunition in the hands of
foreign power, lest it bA fulfilled at the
outbreak OF hos.ilites. Spain, of course,
would become much more of a pauper
than she is now in case of war. No neu :
trail government could allow itself or it's
citizens TO make her gifts of money 0" to
lend her money without inter est. Any
me willing to run the great risk could
lend her the money under the condition
that int rest be paid. Money, of course,
is an article Of commerce, and both
Spain and the United States, if at war,
could buy it in foreign market just as