South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-12
NO TROOPS CAN
WITHSTAND GAS
Gen. French Calls Onslaught
With Poisonous Fumes
TreaCherouS and Unworthy
of German Nation.

LONDON, July Field Marshal
Sir John French. reviewing operations
on the British front from April 8 20
June 10. delivers an eloquent indict-
ment Of what ne terms the unsoldier-
" conduct OF the Germans in the en-
ployment Of asphyxiating gases. He
pays tribute 10 the Germans as one
time opponents OF the highest thought
in methods OF warfare and expresses
his surprise and regret that they
should have adapted such an exped-
lent against adversaries so worthy Of
such a body OF troops.
Following is a summary Of the
British commanders caustic review:
1T is Of much regret that 1 have TO
report that during this period the
fighting has been characterized on the
enemys side by a cynical and barbar-
Gus disregard OF the we'll known Us
ages Of civilized warfare and fragrant
defiance OF the terms OF The Hague
convention. All the scientific resources
OF Germany apparently have been
brought into play TO produce a gas
OF so virulent and poisonous a nature
that any human brought into contact
with IL is first paralyzed and then
meets an agonizing and lingering
death.
The enemy invariably preceded his
prepared and supported attacks by
.;ischarging a stupendOuS volume of
fumes whenever the wind was favor
able
Use Gas I'm All Attacks.
During the whole Of the 23rd the
enemy's artillery was very active. His
al w
supported by heavy guns.
4 ISIS led orders on May 1 10 COM
mence a withdrawal 10 a new line.
This retirement. carried out deliber-
ately and with scarcely a loss, in the
face Of the enemy who was in posi-
ton. reflects the greatest possible
credit on Sir Herbert Plumer and
those who efficiently carried out his
orders.
ION the whole Of the fourth the
enemy heavily shelled the trenches we
had evacuated, being unaware that
they were no longer occupied.
up TO the morning OF the eighth
the enemy made attacks at short in
tervals. always covered by gas. on all
parts OF the line east Of Ypres, but
everywhere they were driven back
with heavy loss.
Throughout the whole period,
since the first break in the line on the
night of April %. all our troops have
been constantly subjected to a violent
artillery bombardment from 81 large
mass OF guns with an unlimited sup
ply of ammunition.
The artillery bombardment vas
shortly followed by a heavy infantry
attack before which our line had to
give way"
Referring TO the work Of the flying
corps. Field Marshal French says
Since my last dispatch 60 air COM
bats have occurred. in which no Brit
ish aeroplane was lost"
In conclusion he says:
Some of the divisions of the new
army have arrived and probably will
prove a valuable addition TO our
fighting force"
Regrets Methods Employed.
LAS a soldier 1 cannot help express
ing the deepest regret and surprise
that an army hich hitherto has
claimed 10 be the chief exponent Of
the chivalry OF war should have stOop-
70 employ such devices against brave
and gallant foes.
THE gas was first used by the enc
my on April %"
Describing this attack, Gen French
SAYS:
The affect or the gas was so viru-
tent as to render the whole line held
by the French division practically in
capable OF action. At first IL was i'm
possible for anyone 20 realize what
actually had happened as the smoke