RETALIATION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2462, 15 May 1915, Page 3

RETALIATION

Sir, —The very murderous tactics adopted by our groat and energetic enemy, apparently poisoning tho atmosphere because there are no wells to poison, and slaying peaceful travellers on the sea's highways rather than face British tars —these tactics are naturally making tho great B.P. ask: "Why not retaliate?" I have been told that tho Allies should also use poison fumes, by Allies meaning the French, Belgian, and English, i Now, sir, whether this argument is correct or not, may I point out the absurdity of the suggestion that tho two armies facing each other can both itsa tho same wind to carry their poisons to the nnemy opposite? I take it that tlieso May winds are the N.E. winds which probably blow in one direction for weeks on end. Wo in New Zealand know full well that such winds (especially during the last 12 months) blow almost for months on end. If. then, retaliation is justifiable, and one cannot change the wind, what is the remedy? As a pretty consistent mapgazer, I see but one thing to do. Tf gases are to be used by the Allies, then the Russians are just in that position to take advantage of the same wind that the Germans are using now to carry their awful mixture from east to west. Presuming my contention is correct, it is apparent that, the Russians, armed with such a weapon— and with the right under the circumstances to use the isame—could make tho fight to Vienna or Berlin a cakewalk.—l am. etc., COW-TIIUMPER.