RULES OF WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1922, Page 5

RULES OF WAR.

PREVENTING PIRACY. THE USE OF GAS. OPPOSED BY POWERS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Jan. 8, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Jan. 6. The committee of the Conference on the limitation of armament approved, after discussion, the following resolution: “The signatory Powers, desiring to ensure the enforcement of the humane rules of the bxi sting law, declared by them in respect to attacks upon or the seizure and destruction of merchant ships, further declare that any person in the service of any Power who shall violate any of those rules, whether or not such person «is under the orders of a Governmental superior, shall be deemed to have violated the laws of war, and shall be liable for trial and punishment as if for ah act of piracy, and may be brought to trial before the civil or military authorities of any Power within jurisdiction of which he was found.”

After the resolution on piracy was passed the chairman introduced the subject of the use of gas and he read a report of a Conference sub-committee. In addition to the points already cabled the committee pointed out that it would be possible, though there would be greater difficulty, to confine the action of chemical gases, as in the case of explosives. The committee felt their use should be wholly prohibited against cities, but not against combatants. He pointed out that the United States, French and British representatives on the sub-committee, who know the results of the use of gas, were emphatic in condemning chemical warfare. Gases form a method of waging war which they pointed out had frightful consequences, such as poisoning if dropped from aeroplanes and the impossibility of confining gases to a particular target as in artillery use. Senator Root (America) explained that the drafted resolution in the language of the Treaty of Versailles, which was subscribed to by four out of the five Powers at the present Conference, had been taken over by the United States. The resolution reads as follows: “The use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous and analogous liquids, materials and devices, having been justly condemned by the general opinion of the civilised world, and the prohibition of such uses having be#n declared in treaties whereto the majority of the civilised Powers are parties now to that end, that this prohibition shall universally be accepted as part of the international law, binding alike on the conscience and practice of nations. The si«matory Powers declare their assent to° such’ prohibition and agree to be bound thereby between themselves, and invite all other civilised nations to adhere thereto.”

USE OF POISON GAS.

VIEWS OF NATIONS CONFLICT. DIFFICULTY OF AGREEMENT. Washington, Jan. 6. Received Jan. 8, 11.5 pan. The Disarmament Conference is expected to-day to consider the use of poison gas in war. They will have three reports before them. The American advisory committee opposes its use, the American expert committee approves, and a conference sub-com-mittee, comprising representatives of the five Powers, is divided. The British, Americans and French favor gas, and the Italians object. Japan, without extended war experience of this weapon, is described as on the fence, and inclined to be favorable to it. It is notable that General Pershing, who is on the committee, is opposing gas. It is understood Senator Root presented a resolution outlawing poison gas in war to the naval meeting to-day. Italy immediately signified acceptance, while the other Powers asked for time to consider the.various committee reports circulated in connection with the matter. The resolution is a surprise, as running counter to the conference sub-committee recommendations. It is understood the sub-committee on gas appointed by the Conference presented a somewhat indefinite report, implying differences of opinion among members. General application for the abolition of gas warfare cannot be partial, and must be complete. The present Conference cannot bind other nations, nor can such Powers bind 'themselves while an unscrupulous enemy might use gas indiscriminately. It is impossible to restrict chemical research and manufacture. Finally the report made no recommendation regarding the manner of dealing with gas. It pointed out that Germany, Austria and Hungary are all forbidden to manufacture poison gas under tbe treaty.—Special to Aus. Press Assn.