Red Cross Asks For More Humane Wars

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1948, Page 5

Red Cross Asks For More Humane Wars

Received Wednesdav, 7 p.m. LOXDOX, Se))t. 1. The liew convention approved by the Titi eniat iona] Red ('ross at its eonfeveuee at St oekholm, revises two existii.y (Jeiieva. eonventions and ineorjiorate.s a liew convention giving prutection to civilians in time of war. In ei't'ect this liew convention is an attempt' to give civilians the sanie nieasure of protection ns that given to other non-eonibatants siich as piisoners of war and siek and wounded. The conference urged all countries to Mitlaw the use of atomic weapons, gas ; *id baeteriological warfare. Alterations to the existing convenr.ois provide that in f'uture wars, p: Xonei s inoy be supplied with Inilk fi >d roiisignmeiits and that captured I in. dical personnel, instead of being |

rej at riated. niay be retained to treat theii own natienals. A muller alteration lays if down that in fntnre hospilal ships sliall be marked with illuininated red crosses. ( 'oncentration canips, tortnre, deportations and the taking of hostages are all outia.wed. The conference also called for the ••reation of neutral zones in combat areas to shelter siek and wounded. The two revised eonventions and the new eonvention governing the status of civilians, will now be subniitted to the Uo\ ernnients of all countries for rati ti'-ation. Realising tliat some countries may refuse to do this, the eonference appealed to all world GoverinnCuts to abidc by Red Cross standards even u ihey did not i'eel able to ratify the eonventions.