The Laws of War.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 26, Issue 63, 3 August 1915, Page 2

The Laws of War.

Evan in war there is a method of "playing the game,’' and there are certain things formulated by military law, written or unwritten, among civilised nations which, even when they are at dagers drawn, they must not do. The laws forbid the use of poisoning the water source of the enemy ; they prohibit murder by treachery—that is to say, the assuming of the unifprm or the displaying of the flag of the foe so as to lure him into a position from which he has no escape. Equally, the slaughter of those who have surrendered is prohibited, whether they have done so at descretidn or upon conditions. Then arms or projectiles which cause unnecessary pain or suffering to an enemy must not be used, neither must a flag of truce be abused to gain information concerning the strategical position of the enemy, and in the interests of art and posterity, there must be no reckless destruction of valuable property, such as churches of ancient buildings, whether public or private. The laivs of war also declare, among other things, that only fortified cities shall be besieged. Open cities, towns, or villages are not to be subjected to siege or bombardment.