Note 114 — PART III USAGES OF WAR AS REGARDS NEUTRAL STATES

Belgium allowed itself, in August, 1870, owing to the opposition of France, to be talked into forbidding the transport of wounded after the Battle of Sedan, through Belgian territory, and out of excessive caution interpreted its decree of August 27th as amounting to a prohibition of the transport even of individual wounded. The French protest was based on the contention that by the transport of wounded through Belgium, the military communication of the enemy with Germany was relieved from a serious hindrance. “On such a ground”—thinks Bluntschli (p. 434)—“one might set one’s face against the transport of large numbers but not the transport of individuals. These considerations of humanity should decide.”