POISON GAS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1921, Page 5

POISON GAS.

ITS USE IN WAR. A DANGEROUS WEAPON, WARNING TO BRITAINBy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 24. Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson has contributed a preface to Major Lefebure’s forthcoming book entitled "Chemical Strategy in Peace and War”. Sir Henry Wilson states that Major Lefebure makes it clear that no convention, guarantee or disarmament safeguard will prevent an unscrupulous enemy from employing poison gas, especially if the enemy has discovered a new and powerful agent, or possesses, as Germany does in her well organised chemical industry, the ready means for produring such chemicals in bulk at practically a moment’s notice. Sir Henry adds: "Britain’s safety demands the continuation of the study and investigation, and also the development, of our chemical industry, so that when an emergency arises we shall have the necessary facilities for a supply at hand. Recent publications had shown the tendency to deal with poison, gas on purely sentimental grounds, and attempts were made to declare its use illegitimate in war. With full and careful consideraton of all the facts it is not for me to express any opinion here x*egarding the desirability of using gas as a weapon, or the possibility of preventing an enemy using it, but I am convinced that a decision reached without full knowledge of the facts may involve grave danger and heavy and preventive loss of life.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.