The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-12-23
GERMANY LOADED
UP WITH NITRATES
BY HOLLAND

New York December 22-(Speciai)
The American chemists as well as the
leaders in the large Industries now oc-
cupied with manufacturing chemical
products, one Of which undoubtedly was
supreme service to the United States
at the time war with Germany was de-
clared, are convinced that Germany, to-
gether with her Austrian allies, used
10000 tons of nitric acid in the manu-
facture of new supplies of explosives,
this being done In the first year Of the
war.
In an address before the American AS
ISOLATION for the Advancement of
Science Professor Noyes stated that at
the beginning of the war Germany had
in storage 100000 tons of saltpeter and
within short time after the war be-
gan she obtained 100000 tons more. In
other words, Germany had on hand soon
after the war began 100000 tons of
saltpeter. Even that supply was made
quate, but the acquisition of such an
enormous quantity as this while the
world was at peace and there was little
or no suspicion that Germany contem-
pldtSQ wall 10 cPOhth VI dS olO Va lhO
best of the illustrations, of which there
are many, of the thorough preparation
Germany made before the Kaiser Joined
with his high military associates in de-
claring war.
Many times it has been observed that
Germany and Austria were for awhile
occupied in several offensive assaults
upon our allies, and then 1t seemed as
though they had spent their energies for
the time being in these assaults, for it
was observed that after awhile they
slowed down, and there was consider
able period of inactivity. Now our men
of science are convinced that the slack
ing up of the offensive which has been
so characteristic of the war movements
pof Germany and Austria, has been due
chiefly, lie not exclusively, to the exhaus
ton for awhile of her explosives.
Professor Noyes has recently asserted
that the 100000 tons of saltpeter
which was Germany's supply imme-
diately after the war began was en-
tirely used up in the first year of the
war in the manufacture of explosives.
The supply was not sufficient to main
tain without relaxation, offensive opera
lions. Military operations were there
fore constantly held UP on account OF
the shortage.
SHORTAGE OF MUNITIONS
Germany and Austria were therefore
compelled to wait some weeks, in one or
two instances some months before
their manufacturers Of explosives were
able to furnish the armies with an ade-
quate supply with which to resume Of
fensive military operations. To quote
Professor Moves: Battles are fought
for three or four weeks, and then for
three or four months nothing is done
because the supply of heterogeneous COM
pounds is temporarily exhausted.
Germany, it is understood, is utilizing
all of her water powers chiefly for
the purpose of obtaining nitrogen from
the atmosphere. In all probability had
Germany been unable to establish great
plants whose energy was furnished by
her water powers and whose product
was nitric acid obtained by what is
called the fixation of atmospheric nitro
gen, the war would have been over
within year after it began. Germany
did not hesitate to confiscate every
plant which her armies found in opera
| ton in Belgium or in Alsace or Lorraine.
They confiscated the French Claude
| process plants and are using the prod
ucts which the French formerly OBJ
tanned in these plants In their often
sive against the allies
CHILEAN NITRATES
| In the year before the war broke out
Germany secured ana stored, presum-
ably in anticipation of the war, 100000
| tons of nitrates which were bought in
Chile and apparently no one in England
| or France took any heed of this I'M
usually heavy purchase Of nitrates from
Chile and the importing of the COM
modify into Germany. Nor was any
notice taken of the fact that just be-
| fore the war began Germany imported
approximately 100000 tons more.
| when General Grant began the siege
| of Fort Donaldson his scouts brought
word to him that Confederate soldiers
who were captured we're found to have
several days rations in their haversacks.
General Grant therefore with intuitive
| Judgment declared that the Confederates
were getting ready to evacuate the fort
| and to retreat to some place of safety
| in the south. Acting upon his inforna-
| ton he attacked and compelled the sur
i render of the fort and the army. Nc
British statesman and SO far as is
known no army officer Of Great Britain
paid the slightest attention to the enor-
nous imports of Chilean nitrates by