THE NEXT WAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 24 July 1929, Page 7

THE NEXT WAR

CIVILIANS' PERIL HORRORS OF AERIAL GAS ATTACKS "MUSTARD DEATH" Wholesale destruction of cities, terrorisation of civilian populations, and the loss of millions of lives within a few hours after an aerial attack on such centres as Paris or London —these possibilities of the next world wur-nro described in pamphlet form by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, under the litlc of "Chemical Warfare—lts Possibilities and Probabilities," by Mrs Elvira. K. Fradkin, of Montclair, New Jersey, who has made a. study of the problem of chemical warfare. The pamphlet deals chiefly with the dangers threatening civilians, and pleads for adequate protection for non-com-batants in the next war :—• "Whether we like it or not the new, far-cruising airplane, with its crew of six, and its mountings for ten machineguns, carrying a bomb load of 90001 b, will bring death and destruction to a wide area, and, amid the roar of antiaircraft guns, will not bo able to choose military objects solely as targets. A Whole city will be the target, and with the coinbihation of high explosive and lingering poison gas that target can, and will be obliterated. When it is realised, further, that in the future, all shells from the 75mm. (18-poundcr) up will carry some form of poison gas, our interest widens and deepens." GREATEST MENACE The author believes that the greatest menace of the next war will be the use of liquid mustard. "There ' s no practical 'protection against the spraying of liquid mustard at present. Liquid mustard penetrates all clothing, rubber, and leather, and burns all skin with which it comes into contact. Its vapour is more poisonous than hydrocyanic acid; it will persist on the* ground, 'grass, and underbrush for several weeks. Hostile airplanes equipped with mustard tanks and Hying low can release the liquid mustard on their target. . . . so infecting largo areas within a few seconds, and covering them so effectively that practically every man and animal within the area would be a certain casualty. ..." The picture of the devastation which can bo caused by airplanes travelling ot anything from 200 to .250 miles an hour is not a pleasant one. A multitude of poison gases were used in the last war. but these, according to the author, "will be a child's game compared with the bases used in the future." The great danger to civilians from poison gas in the next war is emphasised by the statement that the International Red Cross will open an International competition with a prize for a design of tho most effective type of gas-proof shelter. Tho recommendations of the Red Cross contain s-u'ggested instructions far the types of shelters to 'be built, which are to take the form of subterranean chambers hermetically sealed and provided with chemically produced oxygen. These would have to be built in large numbers and of great size • they would contain stocks of chemicals for neutralising the atmosphere and would be liberally stocked with food, water, and hospital appliances. ' SYDAL FOB MEN "Dear Sir. W'll you please send me a jar of Sy<lal. I nave followed direction*) re liHinpr before nh:»viner, and have hud excellent results." Another man Bays. "I use the merest touch of fiyrial on my hauds when golfing." Still another "Sydal is a God-send for sore feet."