in international law, a nation at war with another, or any one of its citizens or officers, from the standpoint of the other nation and its citizens and officers. A state of enmity does not exist between two nations until they are actually at war. While any officer of a belligerent nation is considered, strictly, an enemy of the other party to the struggle, modern usage has practically determined that minor civil officers, not in any way connected with the war, and non-combatants of nations at war are not liable to capture, detention or punishment. All commercial relations, however, are suspended. For a statement of the general rules of international law in force during times of war, see articles WAR; INTERNATIONAL LAW; NEUTRALITY.