Thomas Erskine Holland: “The employment of such arms would, therefore, be contrary to the laws of humanity." (St.”

I acknowledge unreservedly that the customs of warfare have improved since the establishment of standing armies, a circumstance which has rendered possible a stricter discipline, and has necessitated a greater care for the provisionment of…

What neutral States would ever take up arms for the sole reason that, two Powers being at war, the 'laws of war' had been violated by one or both of the belligerents?

We see a general legal persuasion ever in process of more and more distinct formation uniting all civilised peoples.

But I go further, and think the softening of manners can alone bring about this result, which cannot be attained by a codification of the law of war.