Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-08-04
MODERN WAR LIMITED.

A war between the great powers
OF Europe would not visit its atroc-
tiles upon $50. 900, 900 souls that COM
pose the vast British Empire, upon
the 100000 OF Russia, the e2,ooo,-
900 of France and her colonies, the
$4,000 0o. Of Germany, the SO, 900, 900
Of Austria-Hungary and Italy's g.
100000. The mass Of these 800, 0o0,-
600 people and their property are
protected by the rules of modern war
fare. The principle Of these rules
had its most notable enunciation from
the lips of T~alleyrand, who IN 1906
begged to remind Napoleon that the
business Of war should be confined
to professional fighting men, to SOL
diers; that 1t concerned states, not
their subjects or citizens.
The honor Of codifying the rules
that protect the non-combatant ms
j%orities Of civilized nations belongs to
the United States. Francis Lieber
in 1852 drew UP the code for Presi-
dent Lincoln, which he. Immediately
promulgated as General Orders No.
100" for the conduct of the federal
forces In the Civil war. From this
sprang the International convention
Of the Brussels Conference in 1874,
and the two Hague conferences reaf-
firn,ed the convention, adding re-
strictions to the field Of combat. The
chief safeguards lie in respect for
family honor and rights, the lives Of
persons. private property, which
cannot be confiscated, and for relig-
ious convictions and practice.
Only II the Inhabitants OF a coun-
try spontaneously take up arms to re-
sist Invading troops and Garry arms
openly" are they TO be regarded as
helltgerents. The attack or lombard
ment Of towns, villages, dwellings or
buildings which are o defended is
forbidden, and pillaee Of Captured
towns is prohibited. An army of &C.
%eupatton can seize only the cash funds
and realizable securities that belong
strictly to the state, and only the
means of transport, stores and sup
plies. and all movable property pos
sessed by the state that may be used
for military operations. Appliances
for transmission of news or for the
transport Of persons or things may be
seized. even II they belong to private
individuals, but must be restored and
compensation fixed when peace is
made. The citizens of a hostile ma
ton cannot be compelled to fight
against their country, and their rights
cannot be declared abolished, suspend
ed or inadmissible in a court Of law.
The poisoning Of wells, discharge of
projectiles from balloons, the Selling
Of submarine cables, the destruction
Of monuments and works of art are
specially interdicted.
But war between actual bellieer.
ents is also much circumscribed. They
cannot declare that no quarter will
be given. Elaborate safeguards are
made tor the rights and humane treat
ment of prisoners Of war. The Geneva
convention permits the. comprehen-
sive activities Of the Red Cross in
the care. Of the sick and wounded on
both land and sea. Unusually cruel
weapons are prescribed. Towns must
be amply warned before siege or
bo~rnbardrnent, and occupied territory
may be compelled to supply only the
actual needs Of the invading army.
All these rules were ruthlessly vio-
lated in the conduct Of the Balkan
wars, as the recent report Of the In
ternational commission to inquire into
their causes shows. The Balkan states
are not fully civilized. War provokes
savagry, but a war involving the
great powers would be fought with
due restraint.