Use of Poison Gas by Japanese

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 212, 8 September 1938, Page 7

Use of Poison Gas by Japanese

ALLEGATION AT GENEVA FURTHER NOTE DELIVERED GENEVA, Sept. 6. A third Note to the League from tha Chinese protesting against the use of poison gas by the Japanese Quotes documents found on the bodies of Japanese officers at Anking in midJune. One, marked “Burn after use,” and allegedly issued on June 8 by lie commander of the Japanese left flank, instructs the extensive use of gas shells against Anking. The Note details the provision of gas, giving as an instance the fact that troops manning Tahukwan were supplied with 1000 cyclinders for smoke-screens containing 100 unnamed lethal gases and between 1000 anu 2000 chloride shells. It is authoritatively stated in Geneva that China will demand the application to Japan of Article 17 of the Covenant. If Japan declines a discussion on the question of aggression. China proposes that Article 6 should be irevoked. The articles of the Covenant referred to are:— (16) Should any member of the League resort to war in disregard of the Covenant, which req rires disputes to be submitted to arbitration or to the League Council, it shall he deemed to have committed an act of war against all other members, who undertake immediately to sever all financial, personal, and trade relations of their nationals with nations of the offending State. (17) In the event of dispute between a member and u non-member, the latter shall be invited to accept the obligations of membership in regard to the dispute. Should this be refused and the non-member resort to war, the terms of the preceding article of the Covenant shall be applied.