Weapons, Doctrine, and Arms Control

Instruments of warfare should be such as do not inflict unnecessary injury or damage. The principle of humanity condemns all instruments and methods of warfare that involve wanton cruelty, savagery or treachery. It condemns the ill-treatment of the helpless and the disarmed, including wounded and prisoners, the aged and feeble, women and children. When, however, one of the belligerents disregards the principle and usages of war, the other is entitled to adopt measures of reprisal. There is grave danger here that counter-reprisals will be resorted to and war quickly degenerate into savagery.1 -The U.S. Naval Advisory Staff Paris, March, 1919

Biological warfare · Cruelty · Doctrine · Humanity · Political science · Intelligence, Security, War Strategy · Law