Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-03-20
THEC0NDUCT OF WAR
Convention Growing Out Of The
Hague Conference Discussed.
lCUIyALDO'S CAPTURE BROUGHT Up,


growing out Of The Hague peace cor
ference relating to the conduct o
war on land and sea, and finally rati
ned the agreement without division
The discussion turned directly on tn
conduct Of the war in the Philippines
and related especially to Gen. Fun
ston's capture Of Aguinaldo. Sena
tor Teller inquired whether ii thi.
treaty had been in force at the timt
tho method of Aguinaldo's capture
could have been justified. HI
quoted the provision in the treaty
relating to the conduct Of spies and
said that he did not mean himself
to say that Gen, Funston's course
would not have been regular, but
merely to secure the opinion Of SEN
ators who had given attention to the
treaty and who also were familiar
with the details of Aguinaldo's cap
ture. Senator Burton replied to the
inquiry, speaking especially for Gen.
Funston, and said that he was sure
the proceeding on the generals part
had been not only humane, but that
1t had been in accordance with the
rules OF civilized warfare. It was
true, he said, that Gen. Funston and
his force had acted somewhat in the
capacity of spies, but what they had
done had been in the line Of honor
able warfare. Senator Hoar also
spoke at some length regarding this
provision Of the treaty. lie referred
to Aguinaldo's capture and said that
he believed the adoption of the
treaty would have tendency toward
elcvating the conduct of modern
warfare.
The countries party to the treaty
are Germany, Austria, Belgium, Den
mark, Spain, the United States, Mex
leo, France, Great Britain, Greece,
Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Montene-
gro, The Netherlands, Persia, Portu-
gal, l'oumania, Russia, Servla, Spain,
sweden and Norway, Turkey and
Bulgaria.
The most important feature of the
treaty, the contents of which have
been generally known is that pro.
hlhtlng the use of dun dun" bull
lets. Among other things specially
prohibited are: TO employ poison or
poisoned arms; to kill or wound
treaeherously individuals belonging
to the hostile nation or army; to kill
or wound an enemy who, having laid
Down arms, or having no longer
means of defense, has surrendered at
discretion; to declare that no quar-
Ter viii be given; to employ arms,
prolectlles or material of nature |
TO cause superhuons injury; to make
improper use Of flag of truce, the
national flag or military ensigns and
ne enemys uniform, as well as the
distinctive badges Of the general con-
cnllon; to destroy or seize the
nemys property unless such de-
truction or seizure be imperatively
emanded by the necessities of war.
fuses OF war and the employment of
nethods necessary to obtain infor-
nation about the enemy and the
ountry are considered allowable.
The treaty provides as follows re.
ardIng spies; IAN individual can
My be considered spy If, acting
andestinely or on false pretenses,
c obtains, or seeks to obtain, in
ormaton in the zone of operations
I belligerent, with the intention
communicating it to the hostile !
arty. Thus soldiers not in disguise,
mo have penetrated into the zone $
operations of a hostile army to u
btain information, are not con. G
dered spies. Similarly, the follow
'g are not considered spies. Sol
'ers or civilians, carrying out their !
'lssion openly, charged with the de- !
very of dispatches destined either c
" their own army or for that of the q
'cmy. To this class belong likewise {
'dlvldlals sent In balloons to deliver u
spatches and generally to maintain q
between the various u
nrts OF an army or territory"
"
N