The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-26
CROZIER RETURNS
AND GIVES HIS IMPRESSIONS OF THE
PEACE CONFERENCE.
He Tells What Was Done to Make
Warfare More Humane and ID
Protect Noncombatants.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-Captain
Crozier. of the Ordnance Bureau. who was
a member of the international conference
at The Hague has returned TO his duties
in the War Department. Captain Crozier
talks entertainingiy of the proceedings of
the conference and is well pleased with
what was accomplished. He says that 1t
was known as soon as the conference as
sembled tina there could he nothing done
regarding the decrease Of armies. and the
cessation of invention and progress in the
matter of offensive and defensive warfare,
but the subject was considered and given
attention though nothing approaching an
agreement was ever reached. To Captain
Crozier the most important and interest
ing feature of the conference which was
agreed upon is the treaty for an inter-
national code of civilized warfare. The
basis of the code was the celebrated order
No. 100, issued in 1863 by the United States
during the civil war, in which a code for the
treatment of prisoners, non-combatants.
spies, women and church property was pro-
vided. The most serious point of difference
in this matter was the treatment of those
citizens in an invaded country, who, with
out officers, organization or uniform, fought
in defense of their homes and country.
Inc smaller nations Oh the continent, anu
England especially, commended for the right
of such persons to treatment as legitimate
soldiers of the nation to which they be-
longed. Or the other hand, the strong MIL
itary governments maintained that. only
soldiers in uniform, properly officered and
armed. should receive treatment of soldiers
and all others be subject TO be shot as
decided that men in an invaded country
should be considered as soldiers II they COM
piled with these provisions: Were organ
lied under a responsible officer; carried
or emblem and observed the laws and Gus
toms of war. These regulations are not re-
quired in case of sudden invasion, so that
they cannot be complied with, provided
the combatants observe the laws and GUS
toms of war.
The protection of non-combatants, of
women and children and of property is
provided for. The treatment of and defi-
milton of spies Is one of the articles. Works
OF art are no longer considered spoils of
wal and are not to be carried away or de-
stroyed. The destruction of public build
ingS and other public property is not al
lowed unless II Is absolutely necessary for
military purposes. Private property is not
necessity and Is not to be taken unless alb
solutely needed: church property is to be
respected, and the rules of the Red Cross
now used on land, are extended to maritime
warfare. While nearly all the delegates
agreed that there should be more humane
ness in warfare, there were disagreements
at times which made the subject difficult
to ADJUST. However, an earnest desire to
the result that a treaty was drawn which
received the support of all the represen-
tatives of the nations present. The action
of the United States in taking the lead in
the matter OF humaneness In warfare back
in 1868. was favorably commented on by
q number of the delegates.