GAS WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1943, Page 3

GAS WARFARE

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S WARNING PROMISE OF FULL & SWIFT RETALIATION. AGAINST ANY AXIS POWER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 8. In a formal statement on the threatened use by the Axis Powers of poison gas, President Roosevelt said; — “Evidence that the Powers are making significant preparations indicative of such intentions is being reported with increasing frequency from a variety of sources.” He said he wanted to make it clear “beyond all doubt of any of our enemies contemplating, a resort to such desperate and barbarous methods that acts of this nature committed against any of the United Nations would be regarded as having been committed against the United States itself and be treated accordingly.” Mr Roosevelt declared; “We promise to any perpetrators full and swift retaliation in kind, and I feel obliged now to warn the Axis armies and Axis peoples of Europe and Asia that terrible consequences of any use of these inhuman methods on their part will be brought down swiftly and surely upon their own heads. “Any use of gas by any of the Axis Powers, therefore, will immediately be followed by the fullest possibe retaliation upon the munition centres, seaports, and other military objectives throughout the whole extent and territory of such Axis country!” AMERICA PREPARED SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. WASHINGTON, June 9. The United States is prepared “to match the enemy in the modern effective use of chemical warfare,” states a bulletin issued by the Chemical warfare Service. The bulletin says that in contrast to the limitations of the early methods of releasing gas-clouds to drift with the wind to the enemy lines, chemical warfare agents can now be employed in almost any place where explosives are used. Bombs, artillery, mortar-shells, landmines, hand-grenades and rifle-grenades can be fitted with destructive chemical materials. Aeroplanes can be fitted with special tanks for effectively spraying various toxic agents. Gas can be laid on enemy positions almost immediately by means of projectiles fired by artillery, mortars and projectors, Gas can also be released from cylinders when the conditions are particularly favourable, while gas-candles and smoke-pots are other mediums of dissemination.