CLEANINGS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 February 1915, Page 3

CLEANINGS.

- + GERMANV'is AITACIv BY AIRGRAFT. The German newspaper, seeking to justify tiie attack by aircraft upon un-" defended towns and villages, profess bo ■find such justification in the alleged fact that "the Hague Conventions do not refer to air warfare." Tlio answer to this contention is supplied by the German representative at the Hague Conference of 1907. "We are not of opinion," Baron Marshall von Bieberstein then said, "that what is not expressly forbidden is permitted. Nor are military operations governed solely by the provisions of international Jaw. There are other factors: conscience, common sense and the senso of duty imposed by principles of humanity." The German apologists of to-day, being unabl ' to seek refuge bohind any of the "other iactors," have adopted the idea "that whatQ not expre.-.sly forbidden is permitted." As a matter of fact lie Hague regulations fully cover the case. Article 25 of the Convention reads: "The attack or bombardment by any means "whatever of towns, villages, habitations or buildings which are not defended is prohibited." Commenting on this articlc, Sir Thomas Barclay, vice-president of the Institute of International Law, says:—"Bombarding means throwing bombs for the purpose of destruction; whether the bombs are thrown from land, from ships or from aircraft makes no difference. The Hague Convention dealt with all three