Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-06
DECIDE AGAINST
PROHIBITION OF
GAS IN WARFARE
Subcommittee Unanimous in
It's Report to Arms
Conference.
u S. POSITION UPHELD

WASHINGTON, Jan. GA unanimous
report against prohibition of poison gas
as weapon of warfare has been submit
ted to The arms conference by the sub
committee appointed to consider that
question. II was learned on highest au-
thority today.
Contrary to widely published reports
there was never a deadlock in this com
mittee and the delegates of the United
States. G-eat Britain and France
throughout the deliberations, have been
in substantial accord as to the essen
tiaI principles to be applied to chemlcal
warfare. Any differences of opinion
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 tue
possibilities Of developing chemical war
fare.
SUBCOMMITTEE FROM
FIVE LEADING POWERS.
widely published reports to the effect
that the conference would restrict, II not
entirely abolish, the use of gas, undou0t-
edIv had their origin, it was explained,
in the fact that the American advisory
committee had recommended such aboIl-
tion This committee, however, reports
onIv to the American delegation, while
The subcommittee previously referred to
is made M Of representatives of the five
leading powers, who report directly 10
the full conference
Of the two nations which dissented
somewhat from the majority view, Italy
stood out longest for the abolition Of
no{son gas If was stated contending thae
chemical warfare Is not only lnhumane,
but that it is not susceptible or control.
wave Of poison gas liberated upon a
favorable wind, the Italians commended
might not only penetrate to the inner
most recesses Of enemy trenches, but
might very easily pass on to wreak havoc
among villages of women, children and
other noncombatants.
The japanese delegation also empha-
sized the alleged 1nhumane SIDE Oh
chemical warfare
AMERICAN POSITION
SET OUT IN DETAIL.
The American position, which is con-
injured in by the British and French
1. That gas lis an accepted weapon Of
warfare. having been used by all bel
Hgerents in khe late war.
2 That World War statistics prove It
TO be mor1 humane than bullets or high
expIosiYesk#
3. Tasf it has proved itself an effective
wez land that history shows efficient
ia ents of warfare are never aban'
except for a more efficient weapon
hat the susceptibility Of the wea-
10 secret development In connection
commercial chemistry, makes it
to talk of restricting its use by
Feement.
N That because Of the scientific know1-
ge required, poison gas is the principal
Seapon Of highly civilized nations against
q o-called race perils.
~ g. That the United States would be
Yunwise to abandon chemical warfare In
asmuch as the great number Of devel-
hoped chemical Industries in the United
Mates and the multitude Of trained chem
isA places the United States in a position
of peculiar advantage.
It is regarded as extremely unlikely
that the conference will go contrary to
the recommendations OF its subcommit-
tee Should the conference place any re-
striction whatsoever upon the use Of
poison gas, 1t 3 thought that these re-
strictions will take the form Of some gen
eral statement concerning the use Of gas
against unfortifed cities and noncombat-
ants,