Art. 22. Hospital ships fitted out, in whole or in part, at the expense of private individuals, or of officially recognized relief societies, shall likewise be respected and exempt from capture, provided the belligerent Power to whom they are subject has given them an official commission and has notified the hostile Power of the names of such ships at the beginning or in the course of hostilities, and in any case before they are employed.
These ships should be furnished with a certificate, issued by the proper authorities, setting forth that they were under the control of such authorities during their equipment and at the time of their final departure.
Art. 23. The vessels mentioned in Articles 21 and 22 shall afford relief and assistance to the wounded, sick, and shipwrecked of the belligerents without distinction of nationality.
It is strictly forbidden to use these vessels for any military purpose.
These vessels must not in any way hamper the movements of the combatants.
During and immediately after engagements they act at their own risk and peril.
The belligerents have the right to control and visit such vessels; they may decline their coöperation, require them to withdraw, prescribe for them a fixed course, and place a commissioner on board; they may even detain them, if required by military necessity.
When practicable, the belligerents shall enter upon the log of hospital ships such orders as they may give them.
Art. 24. Military hospital ships shall be distinguished by being painted white outside, with a horizontal band of green about 1-1/2 meters wide.
The ships designated in Article 22 shall be distinguished by being painted white outside, with a horizontal band of red about 1-1/2 meters wide.