DYES AND THE SAFETY OF THE NATION. 
horrors attending its employment against unprotected troops., 
Actually, gas warfare developed from the crude, dastardly attack at. 
Ypres on unprotected troops into a distinct branch of warfare which,, 
however reprehensible, became of rapidly increasing importance. Gas 
warfare soon resolved itself into a contest between gas defence (e.9., 
gas mask) and the discovery of new gases which would penetrate the. 
opposing gas defences. 
Mirrrary Iareorrancr. 
The real military importance of chemical warfare lies in the oppor- 
y PY 
tunity it gives to a commander of effecting a surprise, which is the’ 
essence of war. By the discovery of a new substance capable of pene-. 
trating the enemy’s gas defences, and its use on a sufticiently wide 
front without previous notice, chemical warfare offers, under modern 
conditions, an incomparable opportunity for effecting a surprise. 
On several occasions, particularly with mustard gas, the Germans” 
effected a complete surprise and achieved important tactical results. 
If they failed in bringing about a decision favorable to the German’ 
arms, they only narrowly failed, perhaps, only because they were used 
for the first time in inadequate quantities and on too narrow a front. 
In the next war chemical warfare will play a decisive part; that appears 
to be certain. It will. probably not come before the enemy feels sure 
that he can produce a surprise on a sufficiently large scale to bring 
about a quick decision. It is thus highly improbable that he will rely 
on the same substances that were used in the late war. It is, on the | 
other hand, highly probable that the will use new substances, which can | 
be made in plant used in peace time for the manufacture of aniline 
dyestuffs. 
Concuustons. 
e 
importance in chemical warfare for three reasons :— 
Tt will be seen that the German dyestuffs organization is of decisive 
(1) That it is capable of producing practically any organic 
substance. ; ; 
(2) That it is very large and can, therefore, produce the required 
substance quickly in quantity sufficient to satisfy military 
requirements. 
(3) That it possesses not only the plant, but also the ‘skilled 
personnel, the trained research staff, and the technical ex- 
perience so indispensable for the manufacture of complicated - 
substances. : i 
These facts were clear to the German General Staff when they sent 
hot only for. Krupp von Bohlen, but also for Dr. Duisberg. It is well!” 
that they should be clear also to us. The factories “are not arsenals, * 
‘but potential arsenals adding to the power of their country in peace’ 
and strengthening their country in war proportionately to their growth 
M peace. - 
The organization of the German aniline dye industry is. entirely... 
admirable. The sales, research, and works organization is of a high 
613 
