THE LOST RULES OF WAR
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] your issue of October 3rd, Prof. Gilbert Murray says that France, in the war in Morocco, " is really fighting for its life." Is it really possible to believe that " life " in any sense worth having can be gained by a strong nation employing all the horrors of modern warfare against a so-called uncivilized one, i.e., one not so equipped ? Would not the life of this nation be infinitely better safeguarded by showing belief in the rightness of its cause by its submission to impartial juris- diction, thus proving that civilization means justice and departure from barbarous methods, not the contrary ?
" Fairplay's " letter states that the Rifi are rebels, but surely The Hague regulations on this point are at least open to question and should be submitted to The Hague Court for legal decision ? It is, I fear, a fact that the Governments concerned have refused the entry of medical aid, and that therefore the Rifi wounded, as well as the numerous Spanish prisoners in their hands, must be practically without such help. On a recent visit to Tangier, I was informed that the wounds are bound up with leaves, for lack of any bandages.
Finally, as in every war, the non-combatants are made to suffer. Tangier, impoverished by the war, has to support an invasion of about 6,000 refugees, Rifi and Jebala, driven from their homes, adding a number equal to about one ninth of the town's population. Much generosity has been shown to them by the natives, and thanks to the energy of the British resi- dents supported by the Red Crescent Society, 2,000 women and children are receiving a pittance of 4 lbs. of flour weekly. But if the war continues through the winter, the plight of these poor people will be even more tragic than at present. As parties to the International Statute governing the Tangier Zone, surely we have a direct share in the responsibility in seeing that they are not allowed to starve.
Is it not time that the voices of Christian people were raised against these continued tragedies and crimes ?—I am, Sir, &c., A. RUTH FRY.
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