Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-18
s4AouE CONVENTION uARo ooee.
sARDMENr OF TAMpico ~
AMERICAN WARss4IpA.
sHELLlNe OF UNPoRTiFiED
CITIES 10 PRohloiT1o
United States Must Take Tampieo by
Landing Force IL AZ All-pese Net
Fortified ~ Fertilization Ar Rsosa.
mixed In Modern Warfars-prsvisis~
Of Hague Convention.

fact that one Of the biggest navies OF
modern times will frown upon ths har-
Dor OF Tampico. Mex. next Tuesday.
there will be no bombardment Of tnkt.
port.even though Dictator Huerta still
persists In his refusal to salute tho
American flag on the terms OF the
United States
Tampico is not fortified town. a.
Notifications arc recognized in modern
warfare. The trenches which have been
federal artillery against the eonstieu-
tionalists do not constitute fortifca-
tons. and 1t would be violation Of
the rules OF modern warfare to At
tack an unfortified city.
The Hague convention OF 1893 ..re.
specting the laws and customs OF war
on land" to which America Is sigma
tory power. provides In article XIV:
The attack or bombardment Of
towns. villages. habitattons or build
ings which are not defended IN pro.
hibited"
Take it by Landing Force.
But the Washington authorities win
apply this far more strictly. and. evsn
though Tampico be defended ~ the
land forces or the Iederais. il viii 10
taken by landing a force ana not BY
an assault from the guns Of the United
States Navy.
At least these are the present views
OF those ir authority hero For .
bombardment of the city would fnberii
the lives and property of noncombat-
ants even though they were warned to
leave. A single shell from the fourteen
inch guns of a dreadnousht could
create terrible havoc without adding 10
the prestige or advantage Of this coun-
try Such a bombardment h constd-
cred by the highest military authori-
ties Of our government a violation OF
the usages of civilized warfare, and ft
seems certain that this view will be
accepted by the naval forces At Tam
pico
landing, however. under the guns
Of the fleet by the marines ought not
to be difficult.
Other Hague Provisions.
Some Of the other articles Of the
Hague convention which become of
particular interest In thes light Of this
peril of war with Mexico are:
Article I. The laws, rights and
duties OF war apply not only 10 armies
but also to militia and volunteer corps
| fulilling the following conditions: 1.
To be commanded by person rcspon-
| sible for his subordinates: O. To have
! a fixed distinctive emblem recoKnixabfs
| at a distance; 3. To carry arms openly.
and T. To conduct their operations in
| accordance with the laws and customs
Of war. In countries where militia or
volunteer corps constitute the army. or
| -
under the denomination ARMY"
Art. 2. The population OF terri
tory which has not been occupied who,
on the enemy's approach. spontaneous
| ly take up arms to resist the invading
troops without having time to organize
themselves In accordance with article
| /, shall he regarded a belligerent. II
they respect the laws and customs OF
| war.
Cannot Employ Poison.
art. %. Besides the prohibitions
provided by special conventions. II 10
| especially prohibited: (a) To employ
poison or poisoned arms: (b) to Kill
or wound treacherouSly individuals b.
longing TO the hostile nation or army:
(c) to kill or wound an enemy who.
having laid down arms or having no
longer means Of defense. has surren-
dered at discretion; (d) to declare that
no quarter will be given: (e) to employ
arms projectiles or materials Of ma
ture to cause superfluous injury: 60 to
make improper use Of nag OF truce,
the national flag or military ensigns
and the enemy's uniform, As well ~
the distinctive badges OF the Geneva
convention: (g) to destroy or seize tho
enemy's property, unless such destruc.
ton or seizure be imperatively Dc.
manded by the necessities Of war
art. 25. The attack or lombard.
ment of towns. villages habitations or
buildings which are not defended, 10
prohibited. = ~ -. -: -
art. rs The commander OF an ne.
tacking force. before commencin& q
Ibombardment, except In the case OF
an assault should do all he can 60 warn
the authorities.
cart. 81. In sieges and lombard
ments all necessary steps should be
taken to spare as far ~ possible 4di-
fees devoted to religion. art, science
and charity, hospitals and places where
the sick and wounded are collectsds N