NOTE OF THE DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3982, 15 July 1915, Page 4

NOTE OF THE DAY.

THE GERMANS AND ASPHYXIATING GASES.

Tim use* by the Germans of poisonous gases as a means of warfare was recently referred to by the Britis'h Minister for War, Lord Kitchener, as being contrary to the solemn pledge signed, .by the German representatives at the Hague Convention. Speaking in the House of Lords on April 28th, Lord Kitchener said:—

“The Germans have introduced a method, of placing their opponents hors do combat by me use of asphyxiating and deleterious gases, and they employ these poisonous methods to prevail when their attack, according to the rules of war, might have otherwise failed. On this subject I would remind your Lordships that Germany was a signatory to the following article in tile Hague Convention: — “ ‘The Contracting Powers agree to abstain from the use. .of projectiles, the object of which is the diffusion of asphyxiating or deleterious gases.’ ” The above was signed by tho representatives of:—

This further departure from civilised methods by the Germans is merely another matter -which goes to show to what depth of barbarism the called “most cultured nation,” Germany, lias descended.

Great Britain .July 29,1899 Belgium 3 y >1 Don mark >> ?> Spain 3 3 3) United! Sink's of Mox OO ,, 3 3 Prance 3 3 33 Grecce 3 3 3 3 Montenegro Net her la mis 33 33 3 3 3 3 Persia 3 3 3 3 Portugal 3 3 3 3 Ron mania 3 3 3 3 Russia Siam 33 33 33 33 Sweden and Norway Turkey 33 3 3 3 3 3 3 Bulgaria Germany Sept. 4,1900 Austria-Hungary . Italy : Japan i> >> Oct. 6, 1900 Switzerland Dec. 29, 1900 Soma May 11,1901 Luxemburg ... . July 12, 1901 China . Nov. 21, 1904