CHEMICALS IN WAR

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 88, 7 January 1933, Page 11

CHEMICALS IN WAR

Impracticable to Ban Them OPINIONS OF EXPERTS Would Delay, Not Prohibit REPORT SENT TO BUREAU By Telegraph—Press Assn.---Copyright (Received Jan. 6, 7.15 p.m.) London, Jan. 6. . Is it possible to ban chemical warfare? This and cognate questions have been submitted by the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference to a conunittee composed of chemical experts and naval and military ofiieers representing ten countries. The committee now reports that the difficulties are practically insurriiountable. Chemical research, the committee points out, serves the highest interests of mankind, and cannot be hindered. Chemical warfare can rapidly be organised in any country possessing an important chemical industry. The use of the weapons and instruments requires no special training. A poisonous shell or gas bomb is projected in the same way as an explosive shell or illuminating bomb. Supervision by statistics or the inspection of factories have little practical effect and would at best only delay chemical warfare, not prevent it. The committee is equally emphatic that it is not possible to prevent preparation for bacteriological or incendiary warfare. The “Daily Telegraph,” in an editorial says it by no means follows that the formal prohibition of these methods of warfare would be useless. A breach would justify reprisal. The best hope is that non-belligerent States would promptly outlaw the offender. ___________