New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-17
THE ARMISTICE IN WAR.
RULES GOVERNING ITS ADOPTION BY
OPPOSING FORCES.

OPPOSING FORCES
There have been so many days OF rest by
mutual consent before Santiago. many ar
mistices have been agreed upon by the contend
ing leaders. that the subject Of armstces has
become one OF general interest. and many peo-
pie who know what the term implies have
made inquiry as to the details governing that
important point According to the instructions
ror the Government OF the Armies OF the United
States In the Field" which in keeping with
similar instructions for other armies an armis-
tice or cessation Of active hostllties, for a
period agreed upon between belligerents must
be agreed to in writing and ratified by the
highest authorities Of the contending parties.
An ar;nistice Is not partial or q temporary
peace. it is only the suspension Of military op-
erations to the extent agreed upon by the
parties When an armistlce is concluded be-
tween n fortified place like Santiago and the
army besieging IT, II is agreed by all the au-
thortles on the subject that the besieger must
cease all extension. perfection or advance Of his
attacking works as we'll as attacks by main
force
The instructions say further: "As there IS a
difference Of opinion among martial jurists
whether the beseged have the right 70 repair
trenches or erect new works OF defence within
the place during the armistice. this point should
be determined by express agreement between
the parties"
In view Of this point II Is probable that Cen
eral Sharter received the promise of General
Toral 10 cease work on his Qualifications while
the various armistices were IN force.
II an armlstice IS declared without conditions
II extends no further than to require total
cessation II hostllites along the front Of both
beligerents An armstce may Ice concluded
FOR n definite time or for indefinite time,
during which eithe- belllgerent may resume hos
Titles on giving the notice agreed upon 10 the
other
The regulations declare that the motives
which induce one or the other belgerent 10
conclude an armistlce whether It be expected
n be preliminary TO a treaty Of peace or to
prepare during the armistce for more Wig
orous prosecution Of the war. In no way
affect the character ~ the armistice. which IS
binding upon the hellgerents from the day Of
the agreed commencement: but the officers OF
the armies responsible from the day only
when they receive official information Of its ex-
istence.
Commanding officers have the right to con-
clude armstces which are binding on the dis
trict oyer which their command extends. but
these agreements must be ratified by superior
officers and the armstice ceases soon as II
Is made known TO the enemy that ratification
has been refused. II General Shafter should
agree with the commander OF the 81 anish forces
10 cease all operations for week. and General
Miles or the Secretary OF War should refuse 10
indorse the action. hostilites would be resumed
az soon as the refusal had been communicated
10 the Spanish general in command.
II Is usually stipulated in the articles OF agree
ment what intercourse OF persons or traffic shall
be allowed between the inhabitants of the terri
tories occupied by the hostile armies. II moth
ing is stipulated intercourse remains suspended,
as during actual hostilities. During the Civil
War this rule was sometimes modified. and troops
exchanged tobacco for bread. and camp follow
ers did a thriving business.
When an armlstice Is broken by one OF the
parties the other Is released from all obligation
TO observe It. Prisoners taken In the act or
breaking an arnistice must be treated prls
oners OF war. the officers alone being held re-
sponsible who gave the order for violating the
armistce.
These rules say the subject OF capitulation:
80 soon as a capituation is signed. the capitu
lator has no right to demolish. destroy or injure
the works arms. stores ammunition in his
during the time which elapses be-
tween the signing and the execution Of the
captulation, unless otherwise stipulated"