Putnam patriot., 1913-01-24
WAGE WAR BY RULE
Rigid Etiquette Governs Conflict
 of Modern Powers.
Written and Unwrittea, but All Well Understood, Are the Regulations Under Which Battles of To-
 day Are Fought.

War-that is, warfare between civ
 ilized nations-has it's code of eti-
 quette. known as the customs of war.
 some of which are written. others.
 says London Answers. tacitly agreed to-
 Obvious examples of fighting etf-
 quette are the rules which protect the
 Red Cross flag of the ambulance, and
 forbid the use of explosiwN or. with
 in limits. expanding bullets. Nominally, a general may use any
 means in his power to bring his foe to subjection, but there is well-de-
 fined boundary line. A leader may cut of his enemy's food and water supplies. He may subject him to all
 the horrors of famine and thirst; but he must not poison his food or water Suppose place is besieged. and
 that outside the walls are wells which the besiegers cannot effectively hold, and which the besieged can reach un- der cover of night. The besieger would be justified in sending parties to fill up the wells with earth and stones, or to destroy them with dyna- mite. On the other hand. to pollute the wells with poison. or to throw dead animals into them, would be an infamy.
 A prisoner of war" has his rights. He may be asked to give his parole to promise not to escape; but he must not be forced to give his parole. and Is not to be punished for refus- ing to do so. prisoner is liable to be shot, either when escaping or If retaken alive.
 An unparoled prisoner may also be shot while in the act of escaping: but If recaptured, it would be murder to shoot him, and he should not be pun ished for his attempt, though he may be placed in more rigorous confine- ment
 A prisoner may be compelled to earn his keep" by working at his trade, if he has one, or by doing work for his captors not of a purely military nature. Thus, he may be or dered to assist in draining the camp in which he is prisoner; but it would not be fair to put him to build ing Notifications.
 The customs of war justify the em- ployment of spies. but under certain rules. If soldier voluntarily turns traitor, the other side Is entitled to make use of him, but 1t Is not "crick. ct" to tempt a soldier to betray his own side.
 If thus tempted, a man may pre- tend to turn traitor and deceive the enemy with false information. On the other hand, voluntarily to go over to the enemy. pretending to be a traitor or deserter, would be dishon- orable conduct-that Is, If the pre-. tended traitor Is an officer or soldier. A spy. of course. has no rights, and is at all times liable to be shot or hanged at sight
 An officer or soldier, however, caught in the enemy's camp, must not be treated as a spy but as a prisoner of war, provided he is not disguised
 If a commander takes part in a charge, or consistently exposes him
 self to fire. he must take his chance
 of being shot; but in big affairs 1t Is
 not the game" to detail marksmen
 to try to "pick off'' your opponents
 general though every effort may be
 made to capture him.
 When a city or town is bombarded
 public buildings-unless used for de-
 fensive purposes be spared
 so far as possible. When place is
 captured, the victorious foe is en-
 titled to seize art treasures and so on
 and to hold them to ransom. To in-
 jure or destroy them would be the
 act of vandal
 When a country is invaded. the in-
 vader can compel the inhabitants to
 supply him with food and other sup.
 plies and to act as guides, workmen
 and drivers
 A person who not belonging to any
 recognized military force, takes up
 arms against an invader, is liable to
 be shot when captured. Retaliation
 is sanctioned by the customs of war
 It is military vengeance, and takes
 place when an outrage committed or
 one side is avenged by the commis
 sion of similar act on the other.
 Thus, an unjust execution of pris-
 oners held by the enemy may be fol.
 lowed by the execution of an equal
 number of prisoners held by the op-
 ponents.