The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-06
NO BAN FOR GAS?
Root Declares For Prohibition
Chemical Weapons.
Italy at Once CoRcurs in Sug-
gestiOn of q. S.
OTHER POWERS OPPOSED
Conference Sub COMMITTEE Fa-
vOrs Chemical Weapons.
Retained as Protection for Civ
ilization Against Barbarism.

Washington, Jan. 6.-Poison gas, as
a weapon of warfare, is going on trial
before a jury of five powers here.
and it may meet the same fate as the
submarine, despite the unanimaus re-
port in favor of its retention by the
subcommittee of experts of all the
powers.s
Elihu Root, in today's meeting of
the full naval committee. introduced
a resolution, stating in effect that
the use of poison gas had met with
condemnation by all the powers, and
that it should be abolished entirely.
Italy Immediately concurred with
Roots views but the other powers OBJ
jected and the subject went over un-
til tomorrow.
Committee Is Unanimous.
A unanimous report against prohi-
bition of poison gas as a weapon of
warfare has been submitted to the
arms conference by the sub commit
tee appointed to consider the question.
it was learned on highest authority
today.
Contrary to widely published re-
ports, there was never a deadlock in
this committee and the delegates of
the United States, Great Britain and
France 'thruout the deliberations have
been in substantial accord as to the
essential principles to be applied to
chemical warfare.
Any differences of opinions which
may have developed resulted from the
attitude taken by Italy and Japan. the
two nations which admittedly are in
an inferior position with regard to
| the possibilities of developing chemi-
cal warfare.
Italy Strongly Against.
OF the two nations which dissented
somewhat from sthe majority view,
Italy stood out longest for the aboli-
| ton of poison gas. it was stated, con-
tending that chemical warfare is not
| only inhuamne, but that it is not sus-
ceptible of control. In face of heavy
winds it might easily wreak terror on
| innocent women and children.
The Japanese delegation also en-
phasized the alleged inhumane side OF
chemical warfare.
| American Position Defined.
| The American position. which is
concurred in by the British and
| French delegates is:
l. That gas is an accepted weapon
| of warfare, having been used by all
belligerents in the late war.
! 2. Thawworld war statistics prove il
| to be more humane than bullets OF
| high explosive.
3. That 1t has proved itself an eff
| fective weapon and that history shows
/ efficient instruments of warfare are
never abandoned except for a more
efficient.
4. That the susceptibility of the
weapon to secret development in con-
rection with commercial chemistry
makes it idle to talk of restricting its
use by agreement.
| g. That because of the scientific
| knowledge required. poison gas is the
principal weapon of highly civilized
nations against so-called race perils
Abandonment Unwise.
! That the United States would be un-
| wise to abandon chemical warfare, in
asmuch as the great number of devel-
oped chemical industries in the United
| States and the multitude of trained
chemists place the United States in g
! position of peculiar advantage.
J 1t IS regarded as extremely unlikely
| that the conference will go contrary
to the recommendation of its sub
committee. Should the conference
place any restriction whatsoever upor
the Nuse OF poison gas, it is thought
that these restrictions will take the
form of some general statement con-
| cerDing the use of gas against unfortl-
| fled cites and noncombatants.