GAS IN WARFARE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 February 1930, Page 5

GAS IN WARFARE

"MORE HUMANE THAN EX« PLOSIVES"

VALUE OF TREATIES QUESTIONED

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 4th February, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, 3rd February. "Dreadful as it is, gas is far more humane than high explosives. It caused less temporary and permanent suffering in proportion to military results in the war," says Dr. Herbert Levinstein, president of the Society of Chemical Industry. Criticising the illusory character of treaties regarding gas warfare, he declared that the Geneva Protocol enabled the use of smoke screens, perhaps tea gas and poison fumes. He contended that the limitation of naval armaments increased the. importance of the chemical arm, and pointed out that methods of using gas could quickly be adopted, including large stocks of gas cylinders immediately available in all countries where an alkali industry existed. These could be thrown out from aircraft tanks, armoured cars and other vehicles. He urged that the War Office should keep in close contact with chemical research. The improvisation of chemical war material might he vital to our existence.

Dr. Levinstein added: "It is therefore satisfactory to know that the British chemical industry emerged from the war stronger and greater in capacity, production and research."