Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-28
HAGUE CONFERENCE.
Capt. Crozier Talks Of What Was
Accomplished.
The CODE OF CIVILIZED WARFARE.
Its Basis the Celebrated Order No. 100 L.
sued In 1858 by the United States
Treatment Of Citizens In IN
Invaded Country.

W VIM pOR" NoPe OA0LACly
OF the ordnance bureau, who was a
member Of the international confer
ence at The Hague, has returned to
his duties in the war department. He
talks entertainingly Of the proceed
ings Of the conference, and is
well pleased with what was &C.
complished. He says that it was we'll
known as soon as the conference as
sembled that there could be nothing
done regarding the decrease Of armies
and the cessation of invention and pro-
gress Of the matter of defen-
sive and offensive warfare, but the
subject was considered and given at
tention, though nothing approaching
an agreement was ever reached.
To Capt. Cozier the most important
and interesting feature Of the confer
ence which was agreed upon is the
treaty on the international code Of
civilized warfare. The basis OF the
code was the celebrated order No. 100
issued in 1868 by the United States
during the civil war, in which a code
for the treatment Of prisoners, nom
combatants, spies, women, church and
property was provided.
The most serious point Of difference
in this matter was the treatment Of
those citizens in an invaded country
who, without officers, organization or
uniform, fought in defense of their
home and country. The smaller ma
tons Of the continent, and England
especially, contended for the right Of
such persons to treatment as legitimate
soldiers Of the nation to which they be-
longed. On the other hand. the strong
military governments maintained that
only soldiers in uniform, properly Of
fcered and armed, should receive treat
ment of soldiers and all others be sub
ject to be shot as guerrillas without
quarter. 1t was finally decided that
men in an invaded country should be
considered as soldiers if they complied
with these provisions: We're organized
under responsible officer; carried
arms openly; wore some distinctive
badge or emblem and observed the laws
and customs ofw These regulations
are not required in case Of sudden in
vason, SO that they cannot be complied
with, provided the combatants observe
the laws and customs of war.
The protection of non-combatants, of
women and children and of property is
provided for. The treatment of and
definition of spies is one of the articles.
Works of art are no longer considered
spoils of war and are not to be carried
away or destroyed. The destruction of
public buildings and public property is
not allowed unless it is absolutely nee
essary for military purposes. Private
property Is not to be seized and held
except in cases Of necessity and is not
to be taken unless absolutely needed.
Church property is to be respected and
the rules of the Red Cross now used on
land are extended to maritime war.
fare.
While nearly all the delegates agreed
that there should be more humaneness
in warfare, there were disagreements
at times which made the subject diff.
cult to adjust. However, an earnest
desire to reach an agreement finally
prevailed, with the result that treaty
was drawn which received the support
of all the representatives of the nations
present. The action of the United
States in taking the lead in the matter
of humaneness in warfare back in 1853
was favorably commented on by a
number Of the delegates.