Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-12
USACES OF CIVILIZED
WARFARE D|sREGARDED
Sir John French Is CaVstio In His
Review OF German Fight
ing Methods.
DESCRIBES EFFECT OF GASES
Newest Weapon Of Kaiser First
Faralyzes Those Against Whom
1t Is Used, Then Brings Lingering
Deatll--Aiighty Volume of Fumes.

| II 10 Sseu' iuen brings Lingering
Death-Mighty Volume of Fumes.
Especial Cable to The Times Dispatch. ]
LONDON July 11.-Field Marshal
Sir John French. reviewing operations
on the British front from April to
June 3D. delivers an eloquent indict-
ment OF what he terms the unsoldierly
conduct of the Germans in the en-
ploymcnt of asphyxiating gases. He
pays tribute to the Germans as one
time opponents Of the highest thought
III methods OF warfare, and expresses
MS surprise and regret that they nave
adopted such an eXpedtent against ad-
'ersarles so unworthy of such u body
of troops. The operations themselves
! nave peen previously covered in Off
cial eyewitness statements and mum
| oiilciai dispatches from the front. Fol-
lowing is summary OF the British
commanders caustic review:
1t is of much regret that l have to
report That during this period the
hShuhg has been characterized on the
ehehy's side by n cynical and barbar-
Gus disregard Of the welI-known
usages of civilized warfare and Ha-
grant dehance of the terms Of The
Hague convention. All the scientific
resources OF Germany apparently have
heen brought into play to produce gas
OF SD virulent and poisonous nature
that any human brought into contact
with 1t is first paralyzcd and then
meets an asonizing and lingering
death.
sTUPBNDOUS VOLUME
OF FUMES DISCHARGED
The enemy invariably preceded his
prepared and supported attacks by dis
charging n stupendous volume of fumes
whenever the wind was favorable.
AS soldier l cannot help express
Ing the deepest regret and surprise
that an army which hitherto has
claimed to be the chief exponent OF
the chvalry of war should have
stopped to employ such devices against
brave and gallant foes.
The gas was first used by the enemy
on April 22.'
Describing this attack. General
French says:
lent as TO render the whole line held
capable of action. At first 1t was i'm
possible for any one to realize what
actually had happened. as the smoke
and fumes hid everything from sight
Hundreds of the men were thrown
into comatose and dying condition, and
within All hour the whole position had
to be abandoned. together with fifty
guns.
Il wish particularly to repudiate any
idea Of attaching the least blame to
the French division for this unfortu-
nate incident. and to express my firm
conviction that II any troops in the
world had been able to hold these
trenches in the face OF such treach-
crous and altogether unexpected on
slauEht. the French division would
have stood firm.
CANADIAN POSITION
IS LEFT EXPOSED
The left flank OF the Canadian DO
sition was thus left dangerously ex-
posed to serious attack on the flank,
and there appeared to be prospect
of its being overwhelmed. In spite
Of the danger to which they were ex-
posed. the Canadians held their ground
and courage. The bearing and conduct
Of these splendid troops averted a dis
aster which might have been attended
by the most serious consequences
1.-THE Second London heavy battery.
which was attached to the Canadian
division, posted behind the right of the
French division. being involved in their
retreat. fell into the enemy's hands. 1t
\ -
the guns could not be withdrawn be-
fore the Canadians were again driven
back.
During the whole of the 23d, the
enemy's artillery was very active. His
attacks along the whole front were
| SUPPORTED by heavy guns.
IL issued orders on May 10 COM
mence n withdrawal to n new line
This retirement, carried out deliber-
ately and with scarcely n loss, In the
face Of the enemy, who was In position,
reflects the greatest possible credit on
Sir Herbert Plumer and those who effi-
GENTLY carried out his orders.
ION the whole OF the front the
! enemy heavily shelled the trenches we
had evacuated, being unaware that they
were no longer occupied.
| up to the morning of the Sth the
enemy made attacks at short intervals,
always covered by gas. on all parts
OF the line east OF Ypres. but every
where they were driven back with
heavy loss.
CoNsTA NTIY SUBJECTED
TO VIOLENT DOMBARDMENT
! Throughout the whole period. since
the first break In the line on the night
OF April 20. all our troops have been
constantly subjected to a violent ar
! tillery bomba rdment from a large mass
| OF guns with an unlimited supply Of
| ammunition.
The artillery bombardment was
f, shortly followed by a heavy infantry
attack before which our line had to