The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-27
A GERMANS Statement
ON ASPnYXIATINC bombs
By Associated Press.

New York, April 27.-Dr. Bernhard
Dernberg, former colonial secretary of
the German empire, issued statement
to-day relating to the use of asphyxiat-
ing gases by the Germans in trench
warfare. DR.. Dernberg asserted that
when there was published last Novem-
ber reports of a French invention for
the purpose of asphyxiating enemies by
nauseating gases, the ending of the war
in favor of the allies was predicted
with great deal of satisfaction by
the American press.
"But as soon as the Germans used
the same kind of weapon in the battle
around Ypres the denuneiation of Ger
many for following the practice of her
has been rampant and the
most inTeetive sort of epithets have
been employed
This was cited as an illustration of
the reasons why German sympathizers
in America consider the American press
unfair. and unneutral. DR.. Dernberg 5
statement follows in part:
''Most of the American papers have
always upheld that there was no rea-
son for such criticism, that the news
coming from the other side was being
fully published and fairly commented
ON and that on the contrary those were
taking an unneutral view of the posi-
tion who complained of the one-sided-
ness of the American press comment.
That this criticism of the American
press seems to be not at all unjustified
the following, think, would conclu-
sively prove:
"Early in November of last year
long reports were published of an as
founding French invention for the pur
pose of asphyxiating enemies by nau-
seating gases contained in the shells.
All details were given and great
deal was made of the probable effects
on the foe, and the ending of the war
in favor of the allies, in consequence
of this invention, was predicted with a
great deal of satisfaction. This inven-
tion has been used by the French, as
appears from the German official re-
ports, which mention the employment
of such shells great number of times
in the German official reports of April
8, IA, 16 and 21. All this is quoted
from the leading articles in the United
States.
''No exception has been taken to
that use in America. No inquiry has
been addressed to the French CORES.
pondents of the papers, whether the
news was true or not. No denial of
these charges, however, often repeated,
has been made by the allies. But as
soon as the Germans used the same kind
of weapon in the battle around Ypres
the ienunciation of Germany for fol-
lowing the practice of her adversaries
has been rampant and the most invec-
tive sort of epithets has been employed.
The rights of nations have been vio-
lated and The Hague conference was
called into the field again to prove
the utter disregard of all civilized war
fare by my country.
''This is exactly what Germany com.
plains of, that the press of this coun.
try very often measures with two
standards; that what is sauce for the
goose is not sauce for the gander; that
if the allies do one thing it is covered
with a mantle of charity, excused and
smoothed over and if Germany after
wards does the very same thing she is
held up for it by the American public
the real infractor of established law
and decent customs. This is why Ger
many protests again why they do not
believe in the impartiality of public
opinion in this country and why they
do not take kindly to the attitude of
the United States to play a mediating
role in the present world struggle. No
body is ready to accept as umpire a
person or nation which he considers
as biased and one-sided and this ap-
plies to baseball as well as to the MAX
ing of peace