Year: 1870

The Emperor Napoleon in making use of the
Turcos, Spahis. and other barbarians of Northern
Africa in the present war against Germany, has
raised storm of indignation among all civilized
nations. We have no doubt but that the thought
full part of the French people would join in the
general outcry against the brutality and intamy
of this measure, if they only dared to give ex-
preston to their feelings. The Wurtemburg
Stddts Anzejger publishes in recent number
an interesting little article on the subject by
Robertson Mohl, one of the greatest living
writers on international law of which we give q
verbal translation


1--WE will not dispute the practicability nor even
the necessity OF the employment of such barbarian
hordes in the wars waged by the French Govern
ment against the other not subjected barbarian
tribes of Africa. 1t may be that barbarian foe is
best forced into submission through the assistance
of other barbarians. But this will justify the
employment of the African barbarians in a European
war waged in European country The law OF ma
tons is essentially based on the degree of culture
and civilization OF the contending peoples; that is
the reason why that code has always changed ac-
OF the interested parties Let it be understood that
we do not protest against the use of these
used to their manner of lighting. Their
warfare may be wild and not adapted to the habits
tend to say that such warfare is in itself con-
demnable, inadmiss6le, and adverse to the rules
other grave considerations which ought not to be
lost sight Of 1t is well understood, and has been
too frequently proven to be disputed for moment,
that such uncivzed troops cannot be restrained
from committing twofold but equally horrible
atrocities. First, their treatment of their
wounded and captured antagonists is cruel be-
yOnd description, and it is not to be expected that
they will be in any way affected by injunctons from
their officers, no matter how energetic nor by the
anticipation OF punishment, no matter how severe.
But such acts OF cruelty, while they have
any material influence on the issue of an engage
ment undoubtedly adduce series OF unnecessary
evils Beside, we must not forget that such barba.
Tous and cruel behavior must necessarily lead to re-
war; But not only that; such barbarans are hor-
rible plague for the Inhabitants not under arms,
friend as well as foe. Acts of violence against
combatants cannot be prevented in fact, there is no
security OF person or property against such savages
who do not respect what is most sacred TO US. If
harm to the districts they traverse it is certainly


worthy OF the humanity and culture claimed by
European State pretending to march at the head OF
civilization to increase the horrors OF until they
become unsupportable 1t is true that history tells
us OF the use OF auXiaries, as, for instance, the
the employment of Tcherkessians by the Emperor OF
Russia in the war OF annhilation against the insur
rectionary Poles But these measures have been
htly condemned as conflicting with the law of ma
uous. IL is rather difficut to establish positive
rule and this is equally the in such countries
where civilization loses itself and gets sti1ed by
baTbarlsm in the remote border districts. But
there cannot exist moments doubt that IL is un-
worthy OF hation like the French to import foreign
savages that they may help In the settlement OF diff
oulties with another European nation, and thus to
place itself on an equality with q race decidedly
inferior TO the degree of culture claimed by ia
grande nation This step was certainly not neces-
sary Tor the sustenance OF its power and the other
European nOn-selligerent States would be justified
In unanimously protesting against the repetition of
the use OF Turcos Spahis, and smiler Algerian
troops as contrary to the usages Of civilized war