This half-hearted course of action painfully recalls certain vicious methods of legislation by reference, and was additionally uncalled for, since, as has been shown by recent events, about two-thirds of the rules laid down by the Declaration are inapplicable to modern warfare.
Holland criticizes a legislative approach that he finds outdated and ineffective in modern warfare.
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This being so, it is necessary to recognise also that increased humanity in the mode of making war has in reality followed upon the gradual softening of manners.
Since compulsory service has turned standing armies into national armies, war has also become national.
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.
Pacific reprisals should also, according to the tendency of modern opinion and practice, be so applied as not to interfere with the interests of third Powers and their subjects.
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