[Peace.] PROCÈS-VERBAL ON THE EXCHANGE OF THE RATIFICATIONS. Delivery of Adhesions of German States to Article XVIII of the Additional Convention of 11th December, 1871, relative to the Renewal of Treaties. Declaration of German Ambassador, relative to Copyright Convention and Treaties of Navigation. Paris, 11th January, 1872. (L.S.) REMUSAT. (L.S.) ARNIM. Adhesions of German States to Article XVIII of the above Convention relative to the Renewal of Treaties. [Brussels Conference. Rules and Usages of War.] No. 450.-FINAL PROTOCOL OF CONFERENCE between the Delegates on the Rules of Military Warfare. Brussels, 27th August, 1874. (Translation as laid before Parliament.) THE Conference assembled at Brussels,* on the invitation of the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, for the purpose of discussing a Project of International Rules on the Laws and Usages of War, has examined the Project submitted to it in a spirit in accordance with the elevated sentiment which had led to its being convoked, and which all the Governments represented had welcomed with sympathy. This sentiment had already found expression in the Declaration exchanged between the Governments at St. Petersburgh in 1868 (No. 414), with reference to the exclusion of Explosive Bullets. It had been unanimously declared that the progress of civilization should have the effect of alleviating, as far as possible, the calamities of War; and that the only legitimate object which States should have in view during War is to weaken the enemy without inflicting upon him unnecessary suffering. These principles met at that time with unanimous approval. At the present time the Conference, following the same path, participate in the conviction expressed by the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, that a further step may be taken by revising the laws and general usages of War, whether with the object of defining them with greater precision, or with the view of laying down, by a common agreement, certain limits which will restrain, as far as possible, the severities of War. War being thus regulated would involve less suffering, would be less liable to those aggravations produced by uncertainty, unforeseen events, and the passions excited by the struggle; it would tend more surely to that which should be its final object, viz., the re-establishment of good relations, and a more solid and lasting Peace between the Belligerent States. The Conference could respond to those ideas of humanity in no better way than by entering in the same spirit into the examination of the subject they were to discuss. * Conferences were held at Brussels from the 27th July to the 27th August, 1874. [Brussels Conference. Rules and Usages of War.] The modifications which have been introduced into the Project, the comments, the reservations, and separate opinions which the Delegates have thought proper to insert in the Protocols, in accordance with instructions, and the particular views of their respective Governments, or their own private opinions, constitute the ensemble of their work. It is of opinion that it may be submitted to the respective Governments which it represents, as a conscientious inquiry of a nature to serve as a basis for an ulterior exchange of ideas, and for the development of the provisions of the Convention of Geneva of 1864 (No. 365), and of the Declaration of St. Petersburgh of 1868 (No. 414). It will be their task to ascertain what portion of this work may become the object of an agreement, and what portion requires still further examination. The Conference, in concluding its work, is of opinion that its debates will have in every case thrown light on those important questions, the regulations of which, should it result in a general agreement, would be a real progress of humanity. France. Great Britain .. Major-General VON LEONROD. Counsellor of State BARON VON SODEN. B. CHOTEK. BARON VON SCHÖNFELD, Major-Gen. CH. FAIDER. MOCKEL. {Colonel II. BRUN. DUKE OF TETUAN. General SERVERT. Rear-Admiral DE LA PEZUELA. [Brussels Conference. Rules and Usages of War.] [On the 28th September, 1874, a Circular was issued to the British Representatives to the Governments represented at the Conference, pointing out the reservation attached by Her Majesty's Government to their acquiescence in the British Delegate joining the other Delegates in signing the Final Protocol; and stating that Her Majesty's Government desired it to be distinctly understood that by this acquiescence they did not endorse any of the conflicting opinions expressed at the Conference, or accept the Rules annexed to the Protocol. These Rules were laid before Parliament in 1874.] No. 451.-REPLY of the British Government to the Russian Circular of 26th September, 1874, containing Proposals for further Steps to be taken with regard to the Project for altering the Laws and Usages of War. London, 20th January, 1875. (Extract.) The Earl of Derby to Lord A. Loftus. London, 20th January, 1875. A CAREFUL Consideration of the whole matter has convinced Her Majesty's Government that it is their duty firmly to repudiate, on behalf of Great Britain and her Allies in any future War, any Project for altering the principles of International Law upon which this Country has hitherto acted, and above all to refuse to be a Party to any Agreement, the effect of which would be to facilitate aggressive Wars, and to paralyse the patriotic resistance of an invaded People. DERBY. |