The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1932. AERIAL WARFARE.
liie limitations imposed on aerial uarfaie Ly internationai jaw iiave ot lat « ljuo, ‘ m-eiving tile attention of le.icung intej iiat.um.i la wye. s. At tiie instigation of the German lied Cross they were asked to state definitely the ru.ey of international law which protect civil combat, again, st different types of bombardment. Eight jurists gave their opinions, which, by their varying nature, showed how real a problem faces the nations of the world, in the past, international Jaw, as it appertains to warfare, has been honoured almost as much in the breach a,s in the observance. Nevertheless it is generaJy agreed that the. law regarding aerial- warfare must be settled in peace time. The opinions of the eight jurists showed that at present there is no certainty among international Jnwyci'o as to me limits which are imposed!. 'f h® say that tilie {principles designed years ago to regulate the use of artil.ery on land and sea hardly touch the fringe of the subject. Indeed, it is held that, apart from vague generalities, there is no existing doctrine of international law which 'regulates' the practice of bombardment. Several of the authorities couple a pessimistic view with, ‘the hope that the present nullity of international law on the point may be a factor working toward tb c total abolition of war. To picture squadrons of ,aerop ane® sweeping from the skies and showering death on innocent millions of women, children, and old men, .to imagine their wholesale destruction of the things on which life depends—these, they say, are perhaps the strongest arguments that can be put before the world in support of the limitation or total abolition of armamentis. However, there were some jurists who, while admitting that it is impossible to forbid the use of aircraft ntlogsther, hold t'hiat it tfs capable- of regulation. The viewpoint of Professor Sibert, of France was typical. He believes that it is possible to effect a reconciliation between the precepts of humanity and the demands of military necessity by#a universal acceptance of the single principle that aerial bombardment must be confined to military objectives. His., definition of a mi.itary objective is “any thing or pardon that in fact contributes to the preparation or execution of hostile acts of destruction.” No immunity, he says, can be claimed for private property, nor a human life to be spared, for nowadays, “the workers participate in every war.” But the definition, he maintains, would have the effect of rendering unlawful any bombardment designed merely to terrorise the inhabitants or to destroy the economic life of any enemy people. Since the term “military objective” implies some particular locality, Professor Sibert holds that no projectile can be lawfully used if its effects would spread beyond the objective affected. On this ground, lie contends, as a matter of legal argument and not of mere sentiment, that the use of any form of incendiary or poisonous bomb should be absolutely prohibited. He puts forward, too, the ’view that tlio manufacture of poison gas and the like during peace time should be subject of controlled rationing. The entire matter of aerial warfare is receiving full consideration abroad at present, and perhaps tile time is not far distant when the air forces, of the nations, and not their navies, will provide, the hone of contention' at disarmament conferences
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Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1932, Page 4
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572The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1932. AERIAL WARFARE. Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1932, Page 4
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