I also acknowledge unreservedly that the chief credit for this improvement is due to military commanders.

Brutal and barbarous pillage was prohibited by generals before jurists were convinced of its illegality.

If in our own day a law recognised by the civilised world forbids, in a general way, the soldier to make booty in warfare on land, we have here a great advance in civilisation, and the jurists have had their share in bringing it about.
Since compulsory service has turned standing armies into national armies, war has also become national.

Laws of war are consequently more than ever important and necessary, since, in the differences of culture and opinion which prevail between individuals and classes, law is almost the only moral power the force of which is acknowledged by all, and which binds all together under common rules.

This pleasing and cheering circumstance is one which constantly meets us in the Institut de Droit International.