Репост из: Nomos of War
"Every law requires an authority who watches and regulates its execution; but this power is lacking in the observance of international agreements. Acknowledgment of established rules does not secure adherence to these rules.
By the same token, no paragraph learned by heart will convince the soldier that he must see a lawful enemy in the unorganized populace which resorts to force of arms on its own initiative and from which his life is not secure for a moment, day or night.
Thus, not much weight should be attached to international agreements. What third power will resort to arms solely because one or the other of two belligerents has violated the laws of warfare? There is no earthly tribunal. Success is to be expected from the religious and moral education of the individual. It also stems from the sense of honor and justice of the leaders. They lay down the law and act accordingly as far as possible under the abnormal conditions of war, where everything must be considered individually."
~ Helmuth von Moltke
By the same token, no paragraph learned by heart will convince the soldier that he must see a lawful enemy in the unorganized populace which resorts to force of arms on its own initiative and from which his life is not secure for a moment, day or night.
Thus, not much weight should be attached to international agreements. What third power will resort to arms solely because one or the other of two belligerents has violated the laws of warfare? There is no earthly tribunal. Success is to be expected from the religious and moral education of the individual. It also stems from the sense of honor and justice of the leaders. They lay down the law and act accordingly as far as possible under the abnormal conditions of war, where everything must be considered individually."
~ Helmuth von Moltke