Middletown transcript., 1922-01-14
WILL SCRAP POISON
GAS WARFARE
Root Resolution to Be Drafted
Into Fiye-Power Treaty
HUGHES BRINGS UP SUBJECT
Secretary Presents Findings OF Sub
committee Investigating War
Aaencies-Root Prepares
Resolution.

| Misunderstanding completed the
formula for the suppression Of sub.
marine terrorism, the Armament Con
ference practically decided upon an
immediate Five-Power contract to
abandon gas or other similar chemical
weapons as beyond the pale cs humane
tolerance, to be worked out later by
world agreement into the fabric of in.
ternational law. And again it seemed
certain that under American initiative
war in future would be stripped of 9TH
ers of the horrors German ingenuity
let loose upon the world.
Italy gave prompt adhesion to the
anti-gas project as "a real step in the
path of progress and civilization"
Adjournment of the committee pre-
vented the views of other delegations
from being presented, but all were
said to favor the ban on gas warfare
Secretary Hughes called up the sub
1ect, presenting first the report Of the
subcommittee appointed to deal with
new agencies of war. 1t showed a
disagreement among the experts who
considered the subject on the ques-
ton as to whether gas warfare should
be wholly abolished. There was, now
ever, the report said, agreement in
the subcommittee on certain points,
reached more or less unanimously"
The points of agreement with neces-
sary notifications included the state.
ments that no nation dared risk an
agreement which might prevent its
preparedness to deal with IAN un-
scruplous enemy" who might resort to
gas warfare.
That attempted prohibition of such
warfare might cause "misunder-
standings" since many high ex-
plosives used in shells produce gas
Fatalities, although not intended as gas
shells, which might lead to the charge
that gas was being used in retaliation.
That restriction Of research for new
war gases is not practicable.
That restriction of manufacture of
potential gas supplies is not practic.
able for economic reasons.
That while it was possible to "con-
line the action of chemical warfare
gases the same as high explosives and
other means Of carrying on war" there
was disagreement among the experts
as to the difficulties of carrying this
out, there being less doubt as to the
ability 70 confine these gases among
the japanese and Italians, who know
less about them" than among the
american, British and French experts.
thoroughly acquainted with chemical
warfare gases"
The subcommittee brought in no
conclusions or recommendations and
Mr.. Hughes then turned to the report
OF the Pershing subcommittee ON
chemical warfare of the American ad-
visory committee, unanimously ap-
proved by the advisory committee it.
self, urging abolishment of gas war.
fare
Mr.. Hughes read also report
from the land armament committee
OF the advisory committee, declaring:
chemical warfare should be abol.
ished among nations as abhorrent to
civilization. 1t is a cruel. unfair and
improper use of science. 1t is fraught
with the gravest danger to noncom-
batants and demoralizes the better
instincts of humanity"
This report, Mr.. Hughes said, was
signed by General Pershing as head
of the Land armament committee of
the advisory committee and also
adopted by the advisory committee.
Still another American report CON
demning gas warfare was presented
by Mr.. Hughes. This time 1t was the
General Board OF the Navy that spoke
Rear Admiral Rodgers signed the doc
ument.
Certain gases, as tear gas and DOS
sible new, non-poisonous gases. might
be used within the principles of mod.
ern war, the report said entailing TEN.
porary disability of enemy forces. but
experts differed as to what gases
might be so classed properly and an
attempted distinction would lead to
Misunderstanding
The Genera. Board" the report con-
cluded. believes it sound policy to
prohibit gas warfare in every form
and against every objective and so
recommends"