The Iola register., 1902-03-21
THE TREATY ADOPTED
Hague Agreement Accepted by the
Senate

DAY on the convention growing out of
The Hague peace conference relating
TO the conduct of war on land and sea
and finally ratified the agreement with
out division. The discussion turned
directly on the conduct of the war in
the Philippines, and related especially
to General Funston's capture of Ag-
uinaldo. Senator Teller inquired
whether, if this treaty had been in
force at the time, the method of Aguin-
aldo's capture could have been justi-
fed. He quoted the provision in the
treaty relating to the conduct of spies
and said that he did not mean himself
to say that General Funston's course
would not have been regular, but
merely to secure the opinion of sena-
tors who had given attention to the
treaty and who also were familiar with
the details of Aguinaldo's capture.
Senator Burton replied to the in
quiry, speaking especially for Gener-
al Funston, and said that he was sure
the proceeding on the generals part
had not only been humane, but that it
had been in accordance with the rules
of civilized warfare. 1t was true. he
said, that General Funston and his
force had acted somewhat in the capaci-
ty of spies, but what they had done
had been done in the line of honorable
warfare.
/ TIAo oil ,rly . or 1a,,
regarding this provision in the taeaty.
He referred to Aguinaldo's capture
and said that he believed the adoption
of the treaty would have tendency
toward elevating the conduct of modern
warfare.
Some of the members of the commit
tee on foreign relations said briefly
that the ratification of the treaty would
place this couptry in accord with the
highest thought of the times and ex-
pressed the hope that the treaty would
receive the unanimous support of the
Senate.
Those who raised questions apropos
of the discussion diiclaimed any inten-
tion to prevent favorable action.
The countries party to the treaty are
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Spain, the United States, Mexico,
France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, !
Japan, Luxemburg, Montenegro, the
Netherlands, Persia, Portugal, Rou-
mania, Russia, Servia, Sweden, Nor
way, Turkey and Bulgaria. The pro-
visions of the treaty are binding only |
on the contracting powers in case of |
war between two or more of them, and |
ceases to be binding when non-con-
tracing power joins either of the belli-
gerents.
The most important feature of the |
the treaty, the contents of which have
been generally known, is that prohib-
iting the use of "dum-dun" bullets.
Among other things specially prohibit
ed are:
To employ poison or poisoned
arms.
To kill or wound, treacherously, in
dividuals belonging to the hostile ma
tons or army
To kill or wound an enemy who,
having laid down arms, or having no
longer means Of defense, has surrend-
cred at discretion.
To declare that no quarter will be
given.
To employ arms, projectiles or ma
terial of nature to cause superaous
injury.
To make improper use of a flag of
truce, the national flag or military en-
signs and the enemy's uniform, as we'll
as the distinctive badges ofthe general
convention.
To destroy or seize the enemy's
property unless such destruction or
seizure be imperatively demanded by
the necessities of war.
Ruses of war and the employment of
methods necessary to obtain informa-
tion about the enemy and the country
are considered allowable.
The treaty provides as follows re-
garding spies
"An individual can only be consid-
cred spy if, acting clandestinely, or
on false pretences, he obtains, or
seeks to obtain, information in the
zone of operations of belligerent,
with the intention of communicating it
to the hostile party.
"Thus, soldiers not in disguise who
have penetrated into the zone of oper-
ations of hostile army to obtain in
formation are not considered spies.
Similarly, the following are not con-
sidered spies: soldiers or civilians,
carrying out thesr mission openly,
charged with the delivery ofdispatches
destined either for their own party or
for that of the enemy. To this class
belong likewise individuals sent in
balloons to deliver dispatches and
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