ATTACK FROM THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 122, 25 May 1937, Page 6

ATTACK FROM THE AIR

MAKING LEAGUE PALACE SAFE

The wave of preparation throughout Europe against sudden air attack has reached the' League of Nations Palace, said the "New York Times'" recently. Secretarial officials are now working on plans to black out the whole vast structure at the first alarm. One official explained that this is mainly a question of providing , an emergency system and master switch to put out all lights in one second. Plans are being made as the result of a Swiss law requiring all buildings in Switzerland to be put in shape by April 1 for a black-out and to otherwise meet air attacks by making roofs as safe as possible against incendiary bombs and cellars as comfortable as living quarters. \ The League eh joys extra-territorial-ity, but its' non-observance of the blackout would spoil- the plan, and Mr. Joseph' A. C. Avenol, Secretary-Gen-eral,, decided 'to co-operate with local authorities. .■'..' Officials state that the roof is already fireproof,- and usually there is nobody in 'the building at night, when air- raids are most feared, except watchmen "who have plenty of cellar room." Apparently the possibility of an air raid while the Assembly or Council is debating what to do about war is not as yet seriously contemplated. Although the League Palace with its white walls, is an outstanding landmark in Geneva when viewed from the ground, it is much less conspicuous from the air than many smaller buildings, particularly the International Labour Organisation Building with its glass tower. The League Palace roof is clay-coloured, and its lines also help it to merge with the ground when viewed from above. : The great weakness in the plan to keep air raiders from finding the peace city at night is, of course, Lake Geneva, which can easily give airmen direction even when the moon joins in the black-out. This fact causes some to criticise the expensive black-out preparations as a waste, of money.