POISON GAS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19317, 23 May 1928, Page 9

POISON GAS.

EXPLOSION AT HAMBURG. POPULACE DRIVEN FROM HOMES. _-r!» PBH3S ASSOCIATION BT ELECTRIC TILKGRAFH-COrYRIGHT.) ■ ' BERLIN, May 21. £ of phosgene gas exploded in gjireet at Hamburg last night, and a L»t gas cloud settled on the neigh- ! during streets, which were hurriedly (Taooated. (party thousand were driven from /''jieir homes. It is known that three ■ and 100 are in hospital, all ■■■ being in danger of death. The Reichswehr were mobilised to jjjjgt firemen in attempting to dis- : perse the cloud with ammonia. • All available gasmasks were com- » mandeered, and further support was ■ «nt by a special train from Berlin. London cable states that the ! gamburg explosion, which was not loud and not destructive, was immedii »tely followed by a great volume ot death-dealing fumes, spreading over the c'ty Police and firemen, aided by gaanonia, heroically struggled to rescue citizens. Nine collapsed and died. While the fate of a great portion of ' the city was hanging in the balance, the situation was saved by a merciful change of wind, which veered in such " a manner as to blow the gas towards an isolated neighbourhood. Heavy rajnfall also helped to dispose the gas, but the danger was not considered past until this morning. gad'the wind changed to the oppolite direction, towards the congested parts of the city, it is impossible to estimate the havoc the gas cloud would bavecatiied. It is stated that there was sufficient pg in thf tank to wipe out an army. There,, is considerable discussion at mgoltias'to why a German firm was of pnosgene, which is forJjjjlM to be made in Germanv by the fastfljes Treaty. Prilfessor Haber, the most competent Stilority on poison gas, declares that ft vtis only manufactured in Germany in the smallest quantities for dye pur- ' poses.. It was one of the most danger's of gases. Half a gramme in one tthib,foot of air was sufficient to kill Se is unable to understand where the ' Ms; came from, as it was stored by a limited number of firms, under the greatest precautions. He firm concerned alleged that it tas an'old war material, destined partly for destruction, and partly for - ttpolrt to the "United States. It iVnow believed that 11 are dead. —Australian Press Association, United fterrioe. FATAL EFFECTS OF GAS. (Received May 21st, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. iThe latest details of the casualties shov that seven are dead and 100 suffering. - The tank belonged to a chemical firm responsible for the maufacture of wartupe poison gas and at present' in liquidation, and was awaiting removal ibtoid. The war-time name of the gas was cross." It is invisible, an<J« behl'teavier than air, lingers close to wttiund. It is difficult to disperse. TOaiVfcak it is hardly noticeable if JaMaif. Though there is no immediate wn&ence, the person is liable to bewinggddenly and die some days > uterfifrda.—Australian • Press AssociaL m r• P-