CHEMICALS IN WAR

Southland Times, Issue 21000, 5 February 1930, Page 5

CHEMICALS IN WAR

EXPERTS’ VIEWS POSSIBILITIES INDICATED “MORE HUMANE THAN HIGH ' EXPLOSIVES” (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, February 3. “Dreadful as it is, gas is far more humane than high explosives. It caused less temporary and permanent suffering in proportion to the military results of, the war,” says Dr Herbert Levinstein, president of the Society of the Chemical Industry, criticizing the “illusory character” of the treaties regarding gas warfare. He declared that the Geneva protocol enabled the use of smoke screens, perhaps tear gas, and poison fumes. He contended that the limitation of naval armaments increased the importance of the chemical arm, and stated that the 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 improvization of chemical war material might be vital to our , existence.

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