Offensive-Defensive Study Of Disease Germs For Use In War

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1946, Page 3

Offensive-Defensive Study Of Disease Germs For Use In War

(Received 12.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January ?>. INFORMATION THAT ENEMY SCIENTISTS WERE SECRETLY MOBILISING DISEASE GERMS FOR USE IN WARFARE, PROMPTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEFENCE MEASURES WHICH COULD, IF NECESSARY, BE USED AS OFFENSIVE WEAPONS.

This was disclosed in a report to the War Department by the War Research Service, a civilian agency studying biological warfare.

President Roosevelt established the 1 agency in 1942 after a special National Academy of Science committee reported that biological warfare was distinctly feasible. Britain, America and Canada cooperated in the research which was conducted as secretly as the development of the atomic bomb.

The report said that the main objective—devising defences against a surprise attack —was attained by research and also revealed much information of great lasting value for the human welfare. NOT PRODUCED IN QUANTITY The report listed discoveries in general terms, but for security reasons did not reveal specific diseases to man animals or plants, which were intensively studied and count-er-measures involved. It is expected that some of the discoveries will be revealed in scientific papers. Scientists have worked out methods for mass production of microorganisms and their products. .

However, it was directed that biological warfare agents should not be produced in quantity without specific approval of the Secretary for War. In fact, no large stocks were ever accumulated. Defence measures included the study of germs in which the enemy was known to be interested, also measures to protect supplies of water, milk and food in the United States. Hawaii, Caribbean area, Panama and eventually all overseas theatres. AXIS LAGGED BEHIND Scientists developed rapid ways of detecting minute quantities of diseaseproducing agents should the enemy have used them.

The Office of Strategic Services informed the joint Chiefs of Staff in December. 1943, that the Germans might be planning to employ germ warfare, whereupon Allied research work was intensified. However, all evidence to date indicated that the Axis lagged behind the Allies.

The extreme care taken to protect personnel from infection resulted in development of many new and highly successful techniques. Consequently there were only 60 cases of proved infection from accidental exposure to virulent biological warfare agents. ' Fifty-two have completely recovered and the remainder are recovering.

The report warned that, unlike atomic bombs and other secret weapons, micro-organisms could be developed in many countries, large and small, without huge production facilities and perhaps under the guise of legitimate medical bacteriological research. JAPANESE PROGRESS The War Department attached a note to the report stating that information from Japan since the occupation showed that the Japanese had made definite progress in biological warfare studies between 1936 and late 1945. However, they never were in a position to use the weapon.