To make improper use of a flag of truce, the national flag or military ensigns and the enemy's uniform, as well as the distinc tive badges of the Geneva Convention.
To destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruc tion or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war ; to attack or bombard towns, villages, habitations or buildings which are not defended.
To pillage a town or place, even when taken by assault.
Ruses of war and the employment of methods necessary to ob tain information about the enemy and the country, on the con trary, are considered allowable.
In sieges and bombardments all necessary steps are to be taken to spare as far as possible buildings devoted to religion, art, sci ence and charity, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not used at the same time for military purposes; but the besieged are to indicate these buildings or places by some particular and visible signs and notify them to the assailants.
A Convention respecting bombardments by naval forces was adopted by the Hague Conference of 19o7, forbidding the bom bardment of undefended "ports, towns, villages, dwellings or buildings," unless after a formal summons the local authorities decline to comply with requisitions for provisions or supplies necessary for the immediate use of the naval force before the place in question. But they may not be bombarded on account of failure to pay money contributions. On the other hand, the pro hibition does not apply to military works, depots of arms, etc., or ships of war in a harbour.
Another new Convention adopted at the Hague in 19o7 dealt with the laying of automatic submarine contact mines. Its main provisions are as follows:— It is forbidden: I. To lay unanchored automatic contact mines, except when they are so constructed as to become harmless one hour at most after the person who laid them ceases to control them; 2. To lay anchored automatic contact mines which -do not be come harmless as soon as they have broken loose from their moorings ; 3. To use torpedoes which do not become harmless when they have missed their mark (Art. 1).
It is forbidden to lay automatic contact mines off the coast and ports of the enemy, with the sole object of intercepting com mercial shipping (Art. 2).
When anchored automatic contact mines are employed, every possible precaution must be taken for the security of peaceful shipping.
The belligerents undertake to do their utmost to render these mines harmless within a limited time, and, should they cease to be under observation, to notify the danger zones as soon as mili tary exigencies permit, by a notice addressed to shipowners, which must also be communicated to the Governments through the diplomatic channel. (Art. 3.) Neutral Powers which lay automatic contact mines off their coasts must observe the same rules and take the same pre cautions as are imposed on belligerents.
The neutral Power must inform shipowners, by a notice issued in advance, where automatic contact mines have been laid. This notice must be communicated at once to the Governments through the diplomatic channel. (Art. 4.) At the close of the war the Contracting Powers undertake to do their utmost to remove the mines which they have laid, each Power removing its own mines.
As regards anchored automatic contact mines laid by one of the belligerents off the coast of the other, their position must be notified to the other party by the Power which laid them, and each Power must proceed with the least possible delay to remove the mines in its own waters. (Art. 5.) Occupied Territory.—Territory is occupied when it is under the authority of the hostile army. The authority having passed into the hands of the occupant, the latter takes all possible steps to re-establish public order and safety. Compulsion of the popula tion of occupied territory to take part in military operations against their own country, or even give information respecting the army of the other belligerent and pressure to take the oath to the hostile power are prohibited. Private property must be re spected, save in case of military necessity (Arts. 46 and 52).