CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY POLITY AND THE MEANS OF NATIONAL DEFENCE.
_Military Polity_ .-- In deciding upon a resort to arms, statesmen are guided by certain general rules which have been tacitly adopted in the intercourse of nations: so also both statesmen and generals are bound by rules similarly adopted for the conduct of hostile forces while actually engaged in military operations.
In all differences between nations, each state has a right to decide for itself upon the nature of its means of redress for injuries received.
Previous to declaring open and public war, it may resort to some other forcible means of redress, short of actual war.

These are:-- 1st.

Laying an embargo upon the property of the offending nation.
2d.

Taking forcible possession of the territory or property in dispute.
3d.

Resorting to some direct measure of retaliation.
4th.