New-York tribune., 1902-05-04
A WORD FOR OUR SOLDIERS
REASONS WHY MODERATION SHOULD
BE EXERCISED IN DISCUSSING THE
METHODS OF WARFARE IN
THE DIIII
THE PHILIPPINES.

While it is impossible to advocate the use o,
such methods of warfare those which are at
present constituting the subject of charges
brought against United States commanders AMI
troops engaged in the suppression of the insur-
rection in the Philippines yet it is only right
ana Ialr to these servants of their country who
are fighting its battles under the most adverse
and disheartening conditions to refrain from de-
nouncing them as mhuman and barbarous
! until the circumstances have been brought TO
iSht which have goaded them to resort to pray-
IiceS winch are contrary to the rules of warfare
among civilized nations and which do not COM
mend themselves to those sober minded citizens
at home who, enjoying all the advantages OF
American life, government and comfort. are
able to judge with any degree of lberality the
peculiar conditions that prevail in Uncle Sans
great Oriental dependencies
1t must always be borne in mind that the
American officers and soldiers in the Far East
are not hllbusters and adventurers battling fer
their own personal profit and gain, but that.
having responded to call of duty made upon
Them by the United States Government, they
are lighting III obedience to orders for the honor
OF the flag, and with no other object in view
than the fulflment of the directions which thy
have received, namely. the suppression of the
rebellion against American rule This being
the case. they entitled look for indugeac,
rather than hdrshness in the judgment which
may De formed by their fellow citizens in this
country regarding their conduct in the field.
While theoretically civilized nations are ex-
pectcd to adhere to the laws of war adopted Dy
the so-called Geneva Convention, and viii II
have been adopted part and parcel of the
statutory regulations of the United States Army
yet the experience of the past goes to show that
a strict observance of these ethics becomes al
NEST impossible in dealing with barbarous and
semi-barbaroUs foes. True, Asiatic and African
rations have certain recognized laws of war,
which. for instance. prevented the Dervishes IN
the Soudan from tampering with the wells and
pools of the various GASES when by destroying
these wells the Mahdsts might have arrested the
advance of the Anglo-Egyptan invading force.
| recall, too Sir Harry Parkes relating to
at Toxic how the Niceroy of Canton being about
to lose his head for having permitted the de-
Strucrion of some forts at the mouth OF the river
by English cruisers in 1860. appealed for mercy
to Pe.ling on the ground that the British bar
barians had utterly failed to observe the rules
OF War-Ihat is. the Chinese laws bearing the
subject. This plea was accepted by the EN-
peror, and the Viceroy was allowed to retain his
office. being instructed, however, that there was
mo necessity for adhering too strictly to the
recognized Chinese rules of war in dealing with
such savage and unciyilizcd barbarians as the
English"
Unfortunately these Oriental laws of war.
such as they are, are characterized by cruelty
that IS in keeping with the customs ar1 ideas
Of Asiatic and African races. Torture o.. every
description forms part and parcel of the juris-
prudence and methods of rule among the dusky
nations of Asia and Africa. even in times Of
peace. and the utmost ingenuity is displayed in