SUPPLYING BOTH SIDES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 February 1936, Page 3

SUPPLYING BOTH SIDES.

IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES' WAR ACTIVITIES.

KEEN QUESTIONING IN ARMS

INQUIRY,

(By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 5.

Sir Philip Gihbs and other Commissioners keenly questioned Sir Harry McGowan, the chairman of directors, about the military products of Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, at the resumption of the Arms Inquiry.

Sir Harry McGowan said that while they were not an arms firm in time of peace they had groat potential resources for the manufacture of military material, and much of their equipment was convertible to war-time uses. The firm manuactured uo mustard or lethal gas. It exported chlorine for commercial purposes. There had been no noticeable increase in the export of chlorine to warring countries.

Sir Philip Gibbs, alluding to evidence at the American Arms Inquiry, said it seemed that Imperial Chemical Industries had acted the part of Dr. Jekyll and Air Hyde in China, selling powder and explosives in smue parts and fertilisers in others.

Sir Harry .McGowan said that if the Chinese Government wanted anything, his firm sold it.

Sir Philip Gibbs: You were no doubt supplying the Japanese for the invasion of .Manchuria and simultaneously supplying the Chinese with materials to defend .Manchuria. Sir Harry .McGowan: if a private manufacturer does not supply them they would put up their own plant. Cartridges Tor Italy. Sir Philip Gibbs alluded, to arrangements between Imperial Chemical Industries and firms abroad, and gave an instance of a plan under which cartridges for Hotchkiss guns could Do made in Italy, where the guns were being made. "I imagine you have helped this iirm to make cartridges for use in a war which the League has shown its disapproval," he said. Sir Harry McGowan: The agreement expired on November 10, 1035. If we had not shown them, somebody else would.

.sir Philip Gibh.s: That's not very j good. j In answer, Sir Harry McGowan read a letter to a South American representative emphasising that Imperial Clienij ical Industries was anxious to avoid foreign countries having supplies of j explosives without having need of them, and stressing that, the position was difiicult, because if private linns refused orders the Governments would start their own factories. Not Always Their Policy. Sir I'hilip Gibbs said that the letter was impressive, but, it had not been always the policy of Imperial Chemical Industries. Sir Eldon Bankers, chairman of the inquiry, asked the purpose of the Jinn's numerous investments in foreign companies. Sir Harry McGowan: We think it is a good tiling to do. Sir Eldon Bankers: I will try to answer. You can it least see what the Government of a country is doing. It is a good investment, and better if there happens to be a war. Sir Harry -\lcGowan stressed that Imperial Chemical Industries had no international arrangement detrimental to the British Government. The inquiry was adjourned.

U.S. Bankers and War

DID THEY PUSH WILSON IN?

Received Thursday, D.'JO p.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.

The .Senate investigation of J. Pierpout .Morgan and his associates olli cialiy closed to-day with a general feeling of amity on all sides, hut ' _•• the minimum accomplished towards do termining the reasons why America entered the World War. In fact, from the point of view of Senator Nye and his associates, who undoubtedly wished to prove that banker pressure forced President Wilson's hand, the inquiry might be described as a fizzle, for i:i closing the committee jointly stated that nothing had been produced to discredit Morgan or his bank. To this Morgan replied; "1 have had a line time. I would not have missed this investigation for the world."

The last day's session was devotcl] to a general discussion on war debts,] in which Messrs Lamont and Leffin well, who was in the Treasury during the war, contended that the loans to the Allies had been soundly issued, but the post war mistakes of all the Governments, including the American, made their liquidation seemingly impossible. Committee members questioned Messrs Lament and Leffinwell at length for some suggestion of feasible i means to adjust the debts, but none could be offered and on this not. the inquiry closed. Although he advanced no definite formula for debt collections, Mr Ln .moiit expressed the opinion that a lump sum would be an ''admirable settlement." lie thought fresh negotm (ions might lead to such a settlement if they were made "free from anv political influences."