Dear careless bhoys that laughed and died By kopje and fontein-- Our dead that won the living prize-- The Wearin' of the Green! RUDYARD KIPLING. [_Copyright in England and the U.S.A._] * * * * * MILITARY LAW. (_Editorial._) In times like the present when military matters are discussed by all classes of society, both by soldiers and civilians, the question of the law, by which discipline and law, not only among the troops, but also the civil population in the country they occupy are maintained, frequently arises, and the terms "Martial Law" and "Military Law" are often made use of as if they meant the same thing. It is to explain this that the following is written. "Military Law" is the Law which governs the soldier in peace and in war, at home and abroad. It is administered under the Army Act which is part of the Statute Law of England, and which, by special provision, must be brought into, and continue in force, by an annual Act of Parliament. With an army in the field, certain persons, not soldiers, are also subject to the provisions of "Military Law," such as civilians serving with the force in an official capacity; persons accompanying the troops with special leave, such as newspaper correspondents and contractors; persons employed with the troops, such as transport drivers; other persons known as followers who accompany the troops either as sutlers or on business or pleasure with the permission of the commander. "Martial Law," on the other hand, is only operative in war. It is in fact no law at all, and has been accurately defined as the "will of the conqueror." The expression "Customs of War" would perhaps better define what is meant by "Martial Law," because the word Law conveys the idea to most people of an enactment containing a fixed and rigid rule which must be obeyed, and which, if disobeyed, will involve punishment. This "Law" or "Custom" is applicable to all persons and inhabitants not subject to "Military Law" residing within the foreign country or that portion of it occupied by the troops, and also within districts under British rule abroad, which, in consequence of riot or rebellion, are so declared to be subject to "Martial Law" by proclamation. It will thus be seen that a commander of troops in time of war acts in two distinct capacities. First, he governs the troops by "Military Law" only; secondly, in his position of governor of the country he occupies, he imposes such laws or rules on the inhabitants as in his opinion are necessary to secure the safety of his army, and also the good government of the district which, by reason of the war or rebellion, may for the time have been deprived of its ordinary rulers and the machinery for maintaining order.