NOTES ON THE CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11809, 11 August 1900, Page 7

NOTES ON THE CABLES.

Bt Majok Kennedy.

According- to the usages of civilised warfare any officer may surrender the under his command to the enemy, bui; it is generally understood that before he agrees to surrender he must exhaust the resources of the troops. The speech of the Emperor of Germany and the attitude of the Russians towards the Chinese troops during the recent fighting clearly indicates that neither Russians nor Germans intend to "extend the usages of civilised warfare to the Chinese, whether they are regulars or otherwise. Under ordinary regulations the Chinese regular-troops would be entitled to all the rights and immunities extended to the regular troops of other nations if they were made prisoners of war, but the Imperial Chinese Government has lost control over the ■ Chinese army, and the troops are rebels, and not entitled to any right or consideration whenever they fall into the hands of the Allied forces, as they are in company with the Boxers, who have been, declared rebels by the Dowager Empress. The Allied forces are perfectly within, theii rights when they refuse to extend quarter to the Chinese regular troops, and they are perfectly justified in putting the Chinese to the sword or in refusing to make prisoners of war unless they have reason to believe the enemy will grant the same conditions of capitulation to any number of the Allies which the fortunes of war should deliver into their hands. As no such assurances are forthcoming, the Russians and other foreign troops are not governed by the regulations laid down for the guidance of officers in relation to the safeguarding of the lives and property of the enemy's prisoners, and they are consequently permitted to put to death any portion, or all, of the Chinese they may find who offer to resist the Allied forces. The appointment of General Count yon Waldersee to the command of the Allied troops operating against the Chinese is to be commended. The appointment will have a tendency to reduce the friction between the Allies to the minimum, as Russian and Japanese will be inclined to obey a German, whereas the Japanese would be inclined to withdraw if a Frenchman or a Russian were appointed, and a Russian or a Frenchman might object to serving under a British general, as they might be inclined to regard him as too friendly with the Japanese. Aside from the wisdom of the appointment of a German soldier to the command, General yon Walderseo has the reputation of being a very competent 'officer.