1934-05-05 — Page 7

THE FIRST GAS ATTACK

(YPRES, 1915) Interesting Broadcast Talk By Mr. A. M. Bowes-Smith

Mr. A. M. Bowes-Smith. gave a very interesting broadcast talk last night on "The First Time Gas Was Used" He anld, inter-alla:-

I have been asked to repeat this account.of the Second Battle of Ypres, because there are some

ол

these

nightfall they "had advanced four miles to the Canal itself, and at crossed one polat had actually it. But when they saw the affects of their gas, they themselves be. came a bit scared of it, and this fact seems to have robbed them

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1934.

HIS SECOND CRASH

Cpl. Winter In Hospital

latest information regarding the R.A.F. Fairey 3P, plane which crashed while attempting to land on HMS. Eagle at sea on Thursday revealed that Flying morning, Officer Ivor Cufford Rowe and Cpl. Albert E. V., Winter were the pilot and observer respectively. ›

escaped Flying Officer Rowe without injury but Cpl. Winter

of a certain amount of determina-sustained injuries to his shoulder tion throughout the battie.

episodes of the War which are too little known. even by those who served in France. And among British Headquarters found the them is the occasion when poison" situation most, obscure, for detall. ed information was lacking. They gas was used for the first time.

appalling only knew that some Apr 22nd. 1915. In

had

occurred, "that calastrophe to accustomed. days we get so reading about poison gas that it the left flank of the Canadians re- is difficult to transport ourselves mained suspended, as it were, in back nineteen years and re-cap- mid-air, and that a gap of 8000 ture the mental state of the early yards existed between them and the Canal. Through this gap the war days, when such a thing as

Germans had only to pour troops the use of gas never enterd our

Southwards in order to take all heads.

"In April, 1915... the German Staff the British divisions in the sallent were making careful preparations in the rear. The way to Calais for an attack which, it was hoped, i was open to them.

As can be imagined. the situa- would force the British to, relin-.j "quish the

whole of the Ypres tion was almost equally obscure salient. By the middle of Febru- to "the divisional and regimental

ary a number

and was admitted to the RN: Hos- pital

The plane, which was one of the machines of the 824 Squadron had flown from Kai Tak, the shore base, and after circling round the Eagle was swooping to take the deck when a sharp gust of wind caught. her and swung her over- board.

THE CHARTERED BANK

REVIEW

Increasing

Signs Of Better Times: China And The

Silver Problem

The eightieth ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, was held on March 28, 1834, at the Bank's premises, 38, Bi shopsgate, London, EC.

The determination of the Chinese to develop their country, ita railways its roads, its industries and its general productive powers, is, therefore the concern of the Bank, which spares no pains to co-operate with all who are engaged (whether in this country or China) in the expanding economic life of the Republic

known as "Consumers' goods." It is apparent, however, that, with the increasing prosperity of local indus tries, the wealth of, China will in- crease, and that she will offer an ox- panding market for articles of bigh e. Arthur Willis (the Chairman) quality; also for "Capital goods" such presided and said in part:-

as railway equipment, public utility Before passing to a review of con-equipment (electric light and power, itions in the East, I have to make gas and water), equipment for fac- a few remarks of a domestic nature. torica, motor-buses and trucks, air- The Board have to record with very craft, and river and coastal vessels, industries are well great regret the retirement of Mr. W. for which our

Preston, our late Chief Manager. equipped. Mr. Preston entered the Bank's ser- vica 47 years ago, and after a dis- tinguished career in the East he The two occupants, immediately became Chief Manager in 1920, and the burden of the terribly trying post- disentangled themselves and clam-war years, with their unending dificulties and problems, was carried bered free of the wreckage.

H.M.S.- Wishart, which was act-cheerfully and uncomplainingly by him Mr. J. L. Crookätt took over Mr. ing as tender to the aircraft car-right up to the day of his retirement. rier, rushed to the scene and was Preston's duties as Chief Manager at just in time to take off the airmen

the beginning of the year.. Mr. Croo- katt has been at London Office of the before the machine sank.

Bank since 1923-first Sub-Manager and later as Manager. He has bad a wide and varied-experience of Bank-

Before concluding my remarks on East, and the Board have every con- Chias desire to pay & tribute to tidence in having appointed him to the achievements of Sir Miles Lamp the position of Chief Manager. To son, who has rendered great service fill the vacancy caused through Mr. to British commerce and British in- Preston's retirement, we have brought terests by personal contact with home Mr. W. B. White from Singa-Chinese leaders in the fields of gov. pore to be the third Manager in Lon-ernment and trade: don, the second Manager being Mr. Ferguson.

Corporal Winter. It may be re- of gas cylinders commanders up in the sallent it-called. was also involved and in-

the

of

had been dug, in on a portion of self. The Canadian reserves were Jured in the crash of a plane nesting at many of our Branches in the

their front, and by March 10th, a whole Army Corps front attack. was prepared for a gas But a few more weeks elapsed be- fore the wind blew in the right direction.

Gas Altack Warnings. It must not be supposed that no inkling whatever of the Ger- mans intentions came to the no- tice of the higher command. Even as early as March 30th, prisoners had revealed to the French Army that large numbers of cylinders Alled with asphixiating gases were ready for use in the Ypres sector and a fortnight later an other prisoner confirmed this. A crude kind of respirato; was found

...

rushed up in a Northerly direction, the Chinese border at the end to do what they could to stem the last year." advance through he gap. Isolated parties of men took up positions at different points, but even when the reinforcements arrived, new flank was little more than an outpost line, and large stretches of the gap were not covered at all.

A Critical Position.

the

LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY

Reduction In Fees

Sub-Inspector R. J. Hunt, the

During the next day, April 23rd; thanks to the enemy's lack of de- termination, the British were able to take stock of their position and even counter-attack in places; but local representative of the Royal the French, having lost most of Life "Baving Society has received their artillery, were unfortunately news from the Headquarters in unable to make any serious effort London that it has been resolved to recover the lost ground and the that the following reductions shall awkward bulge in the line re- cume into force as from June 1'

i

The development of China, its com- munications and industries, would be fncilitated and hastened by a free flow of capital from the West, to which the main obstacle is presented by defaults on railway obligations to "foreign lenders.

Japan" in World Market

you last year

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Smart Walking Shoes in Black and Brown Calf and Glace Kid Evening Shoes in Real Patent Calf. Golf Shoes in Zug Leathers.

Powell's stand by every Shoe. they sell. The majority are branded .. such as W." "Bective," "Keltic," eto brands which have an established reputation to maintain and are sold with a guarantee of satisfaction.

$15.50

Buy now and benefit by our contracts placed before the recent advance took place in all wholesale prices.

sounded a note of warning in regsed Wm.

to the increasing competition of Jap anese goods-and especially textile goods-not only in the Far East, but in the markets of the world. During the year under review this competition has become so acute that it has at tracted attention in every industrial community, and has led to allegation of "dumping" and unfair competi

The Bank's Balance Sheet I now propose to deal with main features of our Balance Sheet. The Balance, in which possibly we are all of us most interested, viz, pro 't mad Loss at £441,350, compares with £393,884 a year ago, a very wel come increase indeed, and enables as this year to propose, in addition to ustial dividend, to allocate the £6,000 to the Officers' Pension Fundtion. and to increase the carry forward to In fairness to Japan it is well to £206,351, a figure at which it ap remember that there have been na

until short time ago.

on him. But, incredible though it mained, leaving the British in an Fee for the Elementary certificate / proximately stood for many years | tura) and justifiable cause for her

may seem, our staff took no action. At that time, April 1915, the fir- ing line extended in an are around Ypres, with a radius of about five miles. The North-East sector was held by French Algerian troops

exceedingly dangerous salient.

The following day the situation grew most critical. Just before dawn, after an hour's heavy bom bardment, the Germans released cloud gas against the Canadians

reduced from 6d. to 3d.; Inter- mediate from 1s. 6d. to is.; Bronze Medallion from 2s. 6d. to 25; 2nd Class Instructor from 1s. 6d. tc 1s: and Diploma from 153, to 128.

The fees for the remaining

International Trade.

To what causes are we to look for improvement? I think they are as follows:-

trade expansion. Firstly, during the war period, when the United Kingdom was cut off from her. Eastern markets, Japan's trade expanded rapidly, and she is credited with having ac cumulated foreign balances totalling, something like 3,000 million Yen Those balances stimulated her im-

and third-class French territorials at the extreme North-East corner, awards will stand as previously, being enjoyed by Sterling through the Forts, and for many years she im-

and on their right the line was the continued southwards by Canadians and then by two Bri- tish division.

April The 22nd.

We now come to that fateful day April 22nd. Except for some shelling of Ypres and the roads

adjacent to it, there was not much activity during the day to denote that a battle was imminent.

Suddenly at 5 p.m. a very heavy

bombardment of Ypres started," in which 17-inch howitzers particip- ated. The village's "East of Ypres

namely:-1st class instructors 25. 6d.; Bar to Medallion 2s, and Award of Merit 7s. 6d.

where our line had been bent right back in the efforts to stop the gap. The gas cloud, which was released only two hundred yards Any swimming club or indivi- from the Canadians,

1. The exceedingly cheap money during the last 18 months..

2 The temporary advantage still departure from the gold standard!

3. The new tariff policy.

The Outlook in India:

The past year in India bas been one rose to a duals who are desirous of further of slow but steady progress dus in a height of 15 yards, and continued information on life-saving in great measure to & more tranquil for about ten mintes. The Cana Hong Kong should apply to Sub-political atmosphere, and the financial million a year, and she finds it

protection against inspector R. J. Hunt, Central this, except wet handkerchiets and Police Station.

dians had no

towels.

Behind the gas came the Ger-

man attacking waves, who expect

"ed to find no opposition whatever: and great was their surprise when the surviving defenders manned the parapets and succeeded in

were also heavily shelled. To add holding up the attack in all but to the din, French feld runs opened a rapid fire to the North- one place. Elast,

worse.

Later Phases.

got

and the secret withdrawal of the British to a new life nearer Ypres on the night of May 3rd. After alluding in brief to the further heavy onslaughts of May 8th, 13th and 24th, all of which brought the German line, nearer Ypres, he expressed surprise that the Ger- mans forfited the wonderful op- portunity which the inital shock

Tribute To The Canadians.

ported more than she exported, thus creating an unfavourable balance of trade, which was one cause of the de preciation of the Yea-and incident- ally of her present price advantage. Secondly, Japan's population is in creasing at the rate of about one to import increasing quan- position of the Central Government,ities of tam materials, cotton and though still requiring great care, is extremely sound. Recent statistics wool, iron and coal, rubber and oil indicate that, taking the eight mojor to meet the demands of expanding Provinces together, the fall in angr home consumption, and expanding icultural income at present, compared production for export. with 1928/9, in the neighbourhood of 47 per cent, Bengal heading the list with 54 per cont.

Thirdly she has spent considerable sums in Manchuria which constitute an invisible import.

Japan's Trade Returns indicate that her imports for the first 9 months of 1933 increased 50 per cent. in value compared with a similar period in 1931, and an intensive ex- port drive became essential in order to maintain a balanced economy,

alive with scurrying French Co- describe the impressions gathered spirators, and expecting gas at-capacity to pay for imports, and, in sudden in their application, the distur

lonial

China and Her Problems. The business of the Bank in China has been satisfactory, though it has not shown the expansion which would Breakthrough Prevented.

naturally be expected in so great a Those on points of vantage near

country. The valuable report on trade About.noon the position

The export trade has undoubtedly the firing line notice as 8000 23

All our inforcements had

in China recently issued by the Department of Overseas Trade reminds been stimulated by low costs of la- the bombardment started that a been thrown in, and even the gave to them.

us that, with a quarter of world's bour, but the technical efficiency of ourious yellowish cloud.

the was divisions

on the South of

"Had they been less sceptical of population within her borders, China factories, the process of "rationalisa spreading itself in front of the Ger- Ballent were taking the risky step its success, and pushed on with responsible for little more than 2tion, increasing efficiency and re- man trenches on the left of the of sending battalions of their own adequate reserves on the first day, per cent, of the world's trade. Induced costs in industry, in transport Canadians where the line was beld reserves to meet this threat to the whole course of the War might common with other countries, China in finance and in marketing, have has been affected by conditions of all contributed to Japan's pheno- by the French Algerian troops. their rear. Retirement were tak- have been very different." general trade depression, and the measl expansion as an exporting na- Immediately the gas reached them ing place at most dangerous spots,

with of the depression. has fallen tion. they started choking and splutter But still the break-through was

special severity upon these who

Bliver and Silver Problems ing and gasping for breath. Na prevented, and by dusk, when vic- I said at the outset that too lit-are engaged in her foreign trade,

whether they be Chinese or foreigners, Merchants and Banks operating in turally the whole French line in tory was within their grasp, the the is known of this first gas bats the main function of the Bank Silver-ning Countries have to grow that area became seized with Germans Inexplicably slackened tle, even by those who served in is concerned, directly or indirectly, accustomed to wide variations in the panic and utterly demoralised. their effort, devoting the night France. To the divisions of the with, the assistance of foreign trade, sterling price of Silver. The differ Except for those who lay down mostly to consolidating their posi- New Armies which began to arrive the interests and prosperity of the ence of 4d per ounce between the and succumbed in the front tions.

there during May, 1915, it was Bank are affected by the fluctuations highest and lowest quotations in 1933 after all is only a reasonable average trenches, everyone took to his

never more than a legend. Troops and developments in that trade.

The slackening in world demand for over the last decate, Provided heels, and soon "all the zoads be-

The lecturer then proceeded to who came out equipped with re-China's exports has curtailed for fluctuations are not too violent and hind the Canadian Hines became

by the reinforcements who arrived tacks, could never realise the or- spite of good harvests which have bance to trade through exchange troops, feeing in panic. Many were actually coughing and during the next few days, and the deal faced by the Canadians dur- stimulated internal trade, her imports movements need not necessarily be Two-thirds of her came unduly harassing or embarras. Price variations as the result of holding their throats, while others difficulties involved in readjusting those first few days when this have declined. were unharmed but thoroughly ing the firing line. He described surprise weapon was brought into total exports in the first six months of

1933 wore required to pay for import-supply and demand are natural and the extraordinary nature of the use against them. During thated wheat and rice-a severe handicap understandable but it may be assumed scared. It was impossible to ob-

formed, and critical period they gain many for an agricultural country intent on that last year the fluctuations were tain from them any coherent ac- Salient which was

the heavy casualties involved in precious hours by standing their a programme of industrial develop mainly caused by speculative in- count of what had happened,

ground and refusing to give way ment and largely dependent on fences based on the prospect of The Bridges' over the Canal holding on to it.

the use of the Chine "The infantry in the advanced to panic, though by so doing they outside supplies for heavy-industry artificial manipulation from outside

equipment. north of Ypres provided an amaz-

China's desire to sxtend her dom-Tael in April last, and the transi ing spectacle. After the Algerians positions, looking back towards sacrificed a large part of their fact the Canadians Ypres, saw little else but smoke, division. In

estic industries is reflected in the ton to a uniform Bilver dollar was with very little in- came thousands of French®

is well that we should remember constitute her most important man convenience. they could. Presently the French their fate, as indeed they were.

facturing industry. The excess of down to ensure the silver content guns cessed fire and this enhanced The villages behind them were on this.

fire. They were practically un- The Battle also had one imper. imports of raw cotton cloths of the of the dollar appear to have been cheaper grades are being gradually satisfactory, and in lien of the mul the general feeling of apprehen

artillery, German; tant result: we decided that we replaced by goods of local mannfas. tifacions, Taals at different points, the sion. Then the retreating infan- supported by

There ture.

are indications of civilians acroplanes calmly soared up and should meet the enemy with his

trade. and panic-stricken

weapons and were Joined by teams of French down taking note of their position, own

manufacture agricultural and industrial activity in advantages to hold have its distinct

Tin and Rubber, field artillery, and the disorder in- Ahead of them, in the German polson gas ourselves: Our chem- many other lines, notably in the pro- creased; the flight did not stop at lines, were poison gas cylinders ists got to work and in five months duction of wheat, cotton, tea, silk, in be opened against the British used gas cylinders at many minor industrial products in demand, which have received the Canal, for some individuals which would

Wind was the Battle of Loose. But we did malus from cheap silver tant kept on running until they had them put seven or eight ralies between favourable, and they had no re- not. trouble very much whether amount to protective bounty on

spirators to protect them against the gas was blowing towards us local production.

and we were

Competition Difficulties. it. And the whole day long their or the Germans, The Infantry Attack."

The evidence suggests that it will were raked by the consequently successful in asphy- trenches

our own men.be increasingly dificult for manu Meanwhile the German infantry, enemy's heavy artilery. All this xlating many of

a bitter disillusionment Thereafter each side did its best facturers in Britain to compete with after a pause of twenty minutes meant

and those established on the pot, whe to manufacture more vile

"ther purely Chinese or on a Bino- virulent gases than the other foreign basis, in the production of the And that is how this terrible new cheaper textiles and similar articles, weapon took its place in warfare. the articles which are generally

ter-

ritorials, all hurrying as fast as They seemed to be abandoned to absolutely saved the situation. It development of cotton textiles, which accomplished he safeguard laid

try

themselves and the firing line."

before."

as soon as the

or so, advanced to occupy the after their optimism of the week French trenches. All they had to do was to push on, and they met with practically no opposition; by

Mr. Bowes-Smith then described the third gas attack of May 2nd.

4.

To turn now to Tin and Rubber, of products the in the finance of rich terested, the principal features of the Jour da far as Tin is concerned were the increase in price from, say, £140 to £230 per ton and the decrease in stocks from 66,000 tone to 29,000 tons both mainly the result of largely increased American consumption.

The Bestriction scheme still remains in force, but its conditions have been

(Continued on:Page 12)

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