POISON GAS CAMP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 246, 16 September 1929, Page 8

POISON GAS CAMP.

£2.000 A WEEK ON EXPERIAIENTS.

ANIAIAL TESTS. Writing from • “Somewhere-in-Wilt-shire ” a special correspondent of the Sunday Despatch ; London), says: Amid silent chalk hills I have just inspected a seemingly innocent cluster of buildings which are dedicated to the most deadly and most secret development of modern warfare. —Poison Gas! I arn no spy; I adopted no disguise; my chin is free from false beard. Yet I have succeeded in reaching a War Office department hidden deep in the nnoeint countryside, without being arrested by grim military police. Before I set out on my mission from the wayside rail way station for this isolated spot, I inquired the way. Jovial jokels, who know much about farm work, looked solemn at my questions. To them, there was something eerie about my destination. “.Some call it the slaughter-’ouse 1” said one sucking solemnly at his pipe. Others admitted that they had seen animals —including goats and monkeys —go into the confines of tho secret station, and they wondered that none returned.

“It might bo a big farm by tho looks of it,” said another. “It certainly admits stock, but none is sent out!” When, in Parliament, the Secretary of State for War was asked whether experiments on living animals were still being carried out at the chemical warfare experimental station at with the object of testing the efficacy of poison gas, the following answer was given:—“These experiments with animals have been carried on for many years at tho chemical warfare experimental station—and I am advised that they are essential in order to obtain the necessary data for ensuring adequate defence against poison gases and for evolving efficient methods of treating human beings who become gas casualties.'

Others havo set the pace, and so it is necessary for Britain to organise science in. its aid to checkmate the activities of any possible enemies. Hence this secret place I have just visited. The work done here has benefited thousands who were victims of the most deadly development of science in tho Great War; here the effeots of deadly gases have been studied, and lines of treatment worked out. Several acres are covered by scattered building, which are linked to tho stopping place of the railway expresses by a narrow gauge light railway. There is a big civilian staff connected with this station, which is also in close touch with scientists at the British Universities. Moreover, it is not only the concern of the War Office. Gas is a menace to the Air Force and tho Navy, too, and so their experts are also in eloso touch with tho work that goes on here amid tho silent hills. The cluster of buildings does not arouse attention. One structure, however, might inspire an inquiry. There is to bo seen from the outside a contrivance that looks like a small gasometer. Those who live near this place will tell you that n largo menagerie is maintained. During the war it was known as “ Zoo.” In tho zoo thero were goats, dogs, cats, rabbits,_ mice, and snakes and monkeys. Their stay there was in direct support of tho British soldiers at the front.

Quite unostentatiously thero appears in the Army List a sub-title, “Chemical Warfare Committee.” A colonel is given as tho president, and tho members include three professors. The civilian staff is not mentioned in detail. But there is a footnote stating—-

“Representatives of various Departments of the Admiralty, tho War Office and the Air Ministry also serve on the committee as ex officio members and ex officio associate members, together with 72 civilian scientific associate members.” Other publications give details concerning the place. Parliament is given the cost of upkeep every year. Last year tho total cost was given as £98.000 (or nearly £2OOO a week) as against £IOO,OOO the previous year.