Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-07
Pershlng Opposes 1t.

Mr.. Hughes called the attention or ms
conferers that the American sub-com-
mlttee on land armament, headed by
General Pershing. had also adopted a
resolution against gases, which hao
been heartily concurred In by the
American Advisory Committee as
whole. That resolution read;
Chemical warfare should be
abolished among nations, as ab-
horrent TO civilization. 1t is
cruel, unfair and improper use Oh
science. 1t is fvaught with the
gravest danger of non-corlbatants
and demoralizes the better m
stincts OF humanity.
The comunique significantly stated;
THE Chairman (Mr. Hughes) pointed
out that this report was signed by
General John ]. Pershing, as chair
man of the subcommittee on land
armament OF the Advisory Commit
tee"
The communicate further stated:
Continuing, the Chairman (Mr.
IHughes) said that in view OF the
reference to q difference OF opinion
among experts. and especially in view
of the statement contained In the
findings Of the Subcommittee of this
Committee Of the Conference, he de-
sired to read, for the information OF
this Committee, q report by the Cen
eral Board of the United States Navy
upon this question of the prohibition
of gas warfare. This report had been
/ 81. Cri~n
Admiral Rogers Opposes.
That report. in full, is as follows:
QUESTION: Should gas warfare
be prohibited? -.~Ae.A--A.s
| ANSWER: Yes.
| COMMENT: The United States
would undoubtedly give up a material
advantage If gas warfare were abolish
ed. The resources and scientific de-
velopment of this country place it in
the front rank of nations in the ability
to wage efficient gas warfare and in
sure an adequate supply of special
gases. Nevertheless. its abolition
would be popular in this country even
through its effectiveness as a weapon
in war has been clearly proven when
employed under special conditions.
"2.-The tendency OF rules of modern
warfare is toward restraint In the EN-
ployment of weapons that produce
unnecessary suffering. The limita-
tions in the employment of the differ
ent weapons have that end in view
THE dum-dum bullet and the explosive
bullet are well-known examples. Fol-
lowing this general principle. gases
which produce unnecessary suffering
should be prohibited.
3 move TO abolish
"3. Gas warfare has peculiar quail
ity different from any method hereto
fore employed, in that though directed
towards a particular target its de
structive effect is not limited TO tha
target, but passes beyond control o
the belligerent agent and may involve
a sacrifice of innocent lives over ;
wide area. On account OF this pecu
liarity the use of gas which causes
ldeath is Objectionable because not onl,
the combatant is killed. a perfect,
legitimate target, but many non-com
batants may also be victims. and thes
innocent persons may deliberately b.
made the objects of gas attack by un
scrupulous beIligerents. Lethel case
should therefore be prohibited
-. The two principles In warfare
Cd that unnecessary suffering in III
destruction OF c0mbatants should b
avoided. (2) that Innocent non-com
batants should not be destroyed, hav
been accepted by the civilized worl
for more than 100 years. The use o
gases In warfare insofar as they VIC
late these two principles Is almost uni
: versally condemned today, despite II
practice for n certain period durln
the World War.
70. Certain gases, for example, tea
gas, could be used without violatin
the two principles above cited. Othe
: gases will, no doubt be invented
which could be so employed; but ther
, viii be great difficulty IN a clear an
definite demarcation between the leth;
gases and those which produce un
necessary suffering as distlnguishe
from those gases which simply disabl
temporarily. Among the gases exist
ing today there is undoubtedly a dill
ference Of opinion as 10 which clas
:, certain gases belong. Moreover, tn
diffusion of all these gases is prae
tically beyond control and many innc
cent non-combatants would share i
the suffering OF the war. even if III
result did not produce death or a pei
manent disability.
"8. The General Board forsees gre;
dlnieulfy In clearly linkiing easses !
. us to ay0.d unnecessary suffering