The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-24

2 many marvellous achievements, both
\ material and spiritual. can boast none
more signAcaNt than the development
of the idea that the civilized nations
OF the world form In fact a brother
hood a brot herhood whose members
can and Will confer together from
time to time and agree upon definite
rules OF conduct governing their rela-
lions with each other. in place OF the
uncertain and often disputed PROPOSE
tons found IN the text books based
loniy on usage and csustom.
7 IT the idea Of world wide tnterna-
tional law was epoch making in the
3seventeenth century. the idea of con-
eerted action by the nations Of the
world IN codifying that law was scarce
ly less go in the nineteenth century.
From that Idea sprang the Geneva con
Eerences OF 1854 and 1905, attended
by practically all tho civilized nations
% the world, resulting In agreements
by which sick and wounded soldiers
ara required to be protected regard
less OF their nationality and the Red
Cross organization ia made practically
International and protected from at
tack
From It also sprang mo Hague con-
ferences Of 1899 and 1907 which. "a
between The nations participating IN
. NAtFtHH EbA4AF& 6&4FtAE& ~ ktaV1ptWS ga
international law on the following
subjects: ~ The com mencement of
hostjlities. (s) the Laws and customs
~ war on lnnd. (s) tho rights and
dr4ies Of neutral powers and persons
IN Cssa Of war on land 40 the laying
OF automatic submarine mines, (63
BON bnTdment by naval forces IN time
Of war, 80 the adaptation 10 mari
time war Of the principles Of the
Gen g convention Of 1905, and ~
the rights and duties of neutral powers
IN maritime war In these great con-
ferences practically ALI the govern
neuts Of the world OF any consequence
took part. the results with tina sx~
cepfion OF some com pa rativsiv uu.u-
portAns paragraphs) we're ratified ana
( greed TO by the United states and by
! all OF the so~eailsd great powers OF
Europe which are engaged In the pres
snt war, including notably Germany
and Austria Hungary The undsniaole
success ton paper at lsast) Of the
Hague conferences, seemed TO indicate
I that the world was entering upon an
era Of international Justice and good
will. indeed there came 10 many an
earnest soul the prophetic vision of
/ the furiinE Of the bettief3R I'm the
/ parlia ment Of man, the federation Of
the world q vision which was fore
doomed TO an early and rude awaken
ling
Hague RuIe@
TT WIN be worth while to wtAts
here some OF thu rules Laid down by
the Hague conference of 1907 which
have the most direct bearing upon
the conduct OF the central powers and
especially Of Germany In the present
war. IT In interesting and instructive
~ A. a.
nations expressly declare themselves
to be animated by desire to serve
the interests of humanity and
The ever progressive needs of civillxa-
tion' and that In cases not included in
the regulations adopted by than the
Inhabitants and the balligeranta re-
mains under the protection and tbs
rule IF the principles Of the law OF
nations, az they reault from the usage
established among civilized nations
from thu laws OF humanity. and ths
dictates Of public conscience Strange
words those. In the light OF recent his
~tory.
Among tnS articles OF the eonwen-
ton respecting the laws ana customs
OF war on land are the followingi
| Article 8, The state may utiiiss
the iabour Of prisoners of war 80
eording to their rank and aptitude,
officers excepted. The Tasks shall nos
be- excessive and shall havs no reia-
zion to she operation OF the war.
Article sc 1shs right OF 6sIE-
s@Tenta to the choice OF means Of in
turing the enemy In not unlimited
! ARTICLE 80. Ia addition TO thu
prohibitions provided by special con-
vsutions II In especially forbidden lay
TO employ poison or poisoned weapons.
(cl to employ arms. pro-
tectiies. or material OF nature to
cause unnecessary suffering.
Article rs. II is forbidden 20 at.
tack or lombard ny any means what
ever towing, villages dwellings, or
! buildings which are not defended.
! Article 81. In sieges and lombard
naenta all necessary steps must be talk
en- to spare ms far as possible buildings
dedicated to rsIigton. art. sciences. or
charity. historic monuments. hospitals
and ~laces where the sick and wound
ed ars collected, provided they are not
being used at the time for military
purposes.
Article SO No general penalty.
| pscuniary or otherwise. can be In
ficted upon the population on account
of the acts of individuals for which
they cannot be regarded SIS collectively
responsible.
/ Article Sc The property Of mum
ctpalities, that Of institutions ded!-
Gated TO religion, charity, and educa-
ton, the arts and sciences. sven when
state property, shall be treSted a.
private property An seizure or de-
struction Of or wtlful damage 10 In
situations OF thin character, historic
monuments, works OF art and science,
ia forbidden, and should be made the
subject of legal proceedings.
"A Aa uN%s - -
ton respecting tha rights and duties
Of neutral powers and persons in case
of gar on land are the following;
! 'Artieie1. The territory Of neutral
powers is irvtolabls.
rndcfexded Fowta.
/ "Aytfeis q Belligerents are forbid
den TO move troopa OF oonvoys Of
either munitions OF war or supplies
across ths territory Of neutral
power.
Article I Of ire convention con-
earning bonn bardmsnt ny naval forces
in time of war provides that the bonn
hardment ny naval forces of unds-
Tended ports. towns villages. dwellings,
or building. ls forbidden.
Article ] OF the convention for the
adaptation to maritime war OF the
principles OF the Geneva convention.
provides that military hospital ships.
that Ia TO say. ships constructed or