The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-29
RULES OF ARMIES IN THE FIELD.

People who have any knowledge of the
rules of civilized nations concerning war
will not be surprised by the prediction that
General Smith, who has been denounced
for unheard-of cruelties in Samar. will be
acquitted, because he has warrant for
whatever is charged against him. On April
"a, 1868, General Order No. 100 issued
upon the approval of Abraham Lincoln. This
order is entitled instructions for the Gov
eminent Of Armies of the United States in
the Field" These Instructions were pre-
pared by Francis Leiber. IL d.. an author
ity upon the usages of civilized nations at
war. These instructions cover twenty-five
pages and embrace 157 sections. Section
Is reads:
Military necessity admits of all direct de-
StructiOn of life or limb of armed enemies
and of other persons whose destruction is
incidentally unavoidable In the armed con-
tests OF war; il allows the capturing of
every armed enemy, and every person OF
Importance TO the hostile government, or
OF peculiar danger to the captor; IL allows
OF all destruction of property and Of all
Withholding of sustenance or means of
living from the enemy, etc.
If boys ten years of age were found bear
ing arms. or with those bearing arms, this
rule, which has the force of law when a
country is under martial law, is warrant
for any act reported TO have been COM
mitted by General Smith. The acts of
officers who are declared to be 'inhuman
monsters" by men who imagine that it is
good politics." are covered by Section 50,
which reads:
Men or squads of men who commit hostili-
ties whether by lighting, or invade for de-
structon or plumber, or by raids of any
kind. without being a part of the organized
hostile force, and without sharing cOntinu-
ously In the war, but who do so with inter
uniting returns to their homes and voca-
lions, or with occasional assumption Of the
Semblance OF peaceful pursuits, diVesting
themselves OF the character or appearance
OF soidlers-such men, or squads of men,
are not public enemies, and therefore, if
captured. are not entitled to the privileges
or prisoners OF war, but shall be treated
summary as highway robbers and pirates
Another section declares that lit is law
full to starve the hostile belligerent, armed
or unarmed, so that it leads to the speedier
subsection of the enemy" A section de-
clares that noncombatants may be returned
to besieged town when it is necessary to
| hasten its surrender In short. General
Order No. 100 of the year 1863, issued by or
uel VI Aofdham Lincoln and now In force,
contains many provisions and grants of
/ power under martial rule which are not
permitted in time of peace and under civil
! government. For instance, a commander
has power to remove all the inhabit in
disturbed district when. in his Judgment
| 1T is essential to the establishment of the
authority of the United States therein
This has been denounced as "weyIerism -
but 1t had so much the sanction of Abra-
ham Lincoln in 1868 that he caused in
structions to that effect to be issued. with
the caution that no unnecessary suffering
should attend the enforcement of such or
ders 1t will be found that there are few
instances where experienced officers have
/ passed beyond the bounds of authority.