New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-28
Neutral Nations Also Threatened
by Germany's Uncivilized
Methods of Warfare.

Paris yesterday narrowly missed involving Ger
many and the United states in grave conuo
yersy regarding the observance by Germany Oh
the rules Of civilized warfar Our Paris CORE
spondent reports that one OF the bombs, when
killed a man, fell on a spot only about TWO
hundred yards from the chancellery OF the
American Embassy. Ambassador Herrick ana
Mr. Frazler, the Second Secretary Of the embassy
had walked over the spot forty minutes earlier
and had usssed over It IN an open motor car only
i've minutes before the bomb was dropped IL
WIS only narrow chance which saved their hYes
ana absoIyed the United states from the neceS-
sitv Of challenging German military practices
which in the view Of the world at large, not only
outrage humanity but also violate the letter OF III
ternatioual treaties Of which Germany is sig
natory.
The Kaiser may break the laws Of war' 50
far as his enemies in the field are concerned VIII
out greatly Increasing the perDs of bis own Situa
ton. He may feel that they will not spare him
If thew ever get their forces into Germany anu
ara in q Dosition TO exact reprisals, He has al
ready given them ample excuses for seventies
and excuses in his treatment OF Louyain anu OF
Rheims and In bis war from the Zeppelins on
pop.combatants and on women and children But
10 couI6 not we'll afford to raise the question Of
slaughter outside the rules Of war with great
neutral nation whose diplomatic agents be had
killed while they were pursuing their functions
in q CITY not invested by his forces and far re-
moved from any scene Of active military opera
tions. All the lives Of non-cOmbatants and women
and children which his aviator bomb throwers
have destroyed or are likely to destroy would not
be worth to him the evil quarter Of an hour which
be would have to spend trying to excuse to an IN
eensed neutral like the United States his bar
barous defiance Of the law Of nations.
Germany refused to sign the Hague information
NJ treaty Of 1907 forbldding the discharge Of pro
jecties and explosives from balloons or "by othe?
new methods Of a similar nature" She is free
therefore to use airships in war against her OPP
ponents But she did sign the 1907 Hague treaty
revising the laws and customs Of war on land, and
bid attacks such as those which the German air
ships have made on Antwerp ostend and Paris
For the purpose Of protecting non-combatants and
esseniDg the destruction Of property restrictions
on bombardmeuts were provided in Articles XIV
XVI and XVIII Of the treaty Of October is,
1907, as follows:
Article xxv-The attack or bOmbardment, by
whatever means Of towns, villages, dwellings or
buildings which are undefended Ia prohibited.
Article XXVI-The officer in command Of an at
tsekipg force must, before commencing lombard
eht except in cases Of assault, do ell in his power
Article XxVn-In sieges and commandments all
necessary steps must be taken TO spare, 81 1sr as
possible buildings dedicated to religion art, science
pitais and places where the sick and wounded are
Collected provided that they are not being used at
mo begieped 70 indicate tho presence OF such build
nes or places by distinctive and visible signs, which
shsll be notified to the enemy beforehand.
II is obvious that the aerial bomb throwers
when they attack cities out Of the region Of war
do not and can not conform to these humane re
ourements They would not give warning If they
could. since they do not want to subject them
selves to counter attack, and their aim in bonn
harding city is not so much to accomplish any
definite military result like the destruction Of {
bridge or an arsenal, as to spread general terror
and for the sake Of spreading terror they will
ing to murder non-combatants, women and chill
dren-the more the better.
This is a development Of warfare against which
humanity reYolts. It is return to the primitive
methods OF savagery, by which the nOn.hghtin9
population was eKterminated along with the fight
ers Modern rules Of war do not sanction it. and it il
inconcelvabIe that any international cOnferenc,
would ever give assent to the principle Of indis
criminate war on the helpless--on women, chill
dren and neutrals--in accordance with which tin
Kulser's Zeppelins and aeroplanes are now acting
On the field Of battle there is a place for thu
airship bomb tbrower His is only one more en-
CINE Of destruction added to SO many others. Il
may be legitimate to destroy bridges and build
ings used for military purposes I'm the neighbour
hood OF a field Of operations. But TO travel ia:
out Of the sphere of military activity aud to kill
the unarmed in some distant city as they 90 peace