ECHOES OF THE WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3524, 27 September 1921, Page 18

ECHOES OF THE WAR

BELGIUAI’S GRATITUDE. LONDON, September 21. M. Jasper, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking at the Anglo-Belgian Union luncheon at Liege, said: “We soQnetimes are a little nervous and are almost inclined to forget trie way in which the British Empire threw all its material and moral force into the war when Belgium was invaded. We must not forget. We sometimes have moments of bitterness, but we must agree with France that we can only obtain tranquillity when the security of our frontiers is assured. When questions of interest divide us Belgium must l©member that Britain did not sheathe the sword before we were delivered from the invader. Our hearts’ gratitude to Britain will be permanent.”

UNKNOWN AMERICAN SOLDIER. WASHINGTON, September 21. President Harding will proclaim Armistice Day a national holiday, when the bodv of an unknown American soldier will be buried. Delegates to the Disarmament Conference will assemole, but no business will be transacted, the delegates attending the ceremonies at the Arlington National Cemetery. All the churches will hold a simultaneous half-hour service in honour of the soldier, with prayers for the success of the conference.

POISON GAS IN WAR, LONDON, September 24. Field-marshal Wilson contributed the preface to Alajor Le Febure’s forthcoming book entitled ’’Chemical Strategy in Peace

and War.”, Field-marshal Wilson states that Major Le Febure makes it clear that no convention guarantee or disarmament

safeguard will prevent an unscrupulous enemy from employing poison gas, especially if the enemy has discovered a new powerful agent or possesses, as Germany does in her well-organised chemical indusC'.Y, tne ready means for producing such chemicals in bulk at practically a moment’s notice. Great Britain’s safety demands a continuation of study and investigation, also the development of her chemical industry. so that when the emergency arises she will have the necessary facilities for supply at hand. Recent publications had snown a tendency to deal with poison gas on purely sentimental grounds, and attempts had been made to declare its use illegitimate in war. “With a full and careful consideration of all the facts,” writes Field-marshal Wilson, it is not for me to express any opinion here regarding the desirability of using gas as a weapon” or the possibility of preventing an enemy using it; but I am convinced that a decision reached without full knowledge of the facts may involve grave danger and a heavy, preventible loss of life.” WAR GRAVES. The Imperial War Graves’ Commission discussed the discontinuance of exhumation. The Australian, Canadian, and Newfoundland representatives vigorously protested against the discontinuance. The War Office undertook to issue an explanatory statement in a few days.