The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1936. GAS WARFARE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 223, 1 September 1936, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1936. GAS WARFARE.

It is now accepted as axioma tic that in any future conflict the warring nations will not scruple to use the most deadly forms of poison gas available in defiance of their commitments under international covenants. The Italians have already proved this, and with the aid of gas they were able to capture the Abyssinian capital in an incredibly short space of time. Of course high explosive has appalling destructive powers, but it is gas that is popularly considered to be the greatest potential danger. This belief is discounted by Mr. E. C. McDowell, junior, who, writing in "Current History," says that the poison gas menace represents one part danger plus three parts fancy and that equals public misinformation. In his view the position is not nearly as black as it is painted. "The perfect or 'six-drops-will-destroy-a-city' gas does not exist," says Mr. McDowell, "nor would it be easy for such a gas to be used in this manner. There are, it is true, many gases which are instantaneously lethal and which perform wonders, but these are laboratory performances. How they act in actual warfare under uncontrolled conditions is another matter." This is reassuring news for those who are under the impression that two or three bombing aeroplanes could practically wipe out any large city. Mr. McDowell goes on to quote Dr. Harrison E. Howe, editor of "Industrial and Engineering Chemistry." Dr. Howe declares that to the best of his belief research since the Great War has failed to discover any gases for field use that are more advantageous than those known and used iif that war. He is still unconvinced that the situation, as far as offence is concerned, has materially changed since the Armistice. Mr. McDowell adds that the laws of chemistry and physics, the whims of the weather, and the protective and defensive activities of an enlightened general staff, all combine to make largescale gassing operations on civilians an expensive gamble. It is debatable whether, in most cases, the effect produced would be worth the expense and risk. Ace ording to Mr McDowell the greatest threat to cities in war-time will come from thermite or incendiary bombs which on striking will create a temperature of more than 4000 degrees. The spreading cumulative effect of these bombs would be far v/orse than a gas attack. If there should ever be another world war gas may, after all, play only a minor part on the civilian front, %