human life is endangered by wild animals, or murderous criminals, or
savages. Just within this outermost fence would be civilised war--for
in civilised war non-combatants and prisoners and wounded are excluded
from the application of violence. In like manner we bring humanity in
general within a more sheltered enclosure than animals--pet animals
within a more sheltered enclosure than other animals. Again, we bring
those who belong to the white race within a narrower protecting circle
than mankind in general, and those of our own nation within a still
narrower one.

Following out the same principle, we include women and children within
a narrower shelter fence than our adult fellow-male; and we use the
weapon of force more reluctantly when we are dealing with our
relatives and friends than when we are dealing with those who are not
personally known to us; and finally, we lay it aside more completely
when we are dealing with the women of our households than when we are
dealing with the males.

The cause of civilisation and of the amenities, and the welfare of the
nation, of the family, and of woman, are all intimately bound up with
a faithful adherence to this compromise.

But this policy imposes upon those whom it shelters from violence
corresponding obligations.

In war non-combatants--not to speak of the wounded on the
battlefield--must desist from hostile action on the pain of being shot
down like wild beasts. And though an individual non-combatant might
think it a patriotic action for him to take part in war, the
thoughtful man would recognise that such action was a violation of a