14 JANUARY 1922, Page 2

The Conference on Saturday last adopted a similar resolution -binding

the five Powers not to use " asphyxiating, poisonous, and other -gases and all analogous liquids, materials and-devices " in war among themselves and inviting other nations-to follow the same course. Mr. Balfour reminded the Conference that. the resolution simply reaffirmed the international law as it-stood in 1,914, when no nation but one had taken any,steps towards providing protection against poison gas. Germany, in deliber- ately breaking the law in 1915, had almost brought disaster to the Allies. It was clear, therefore, that the adoption of the resolution would not relieve nations of the necessity of preparing to guard themselves against the use of gas by an unscrupulous enemy. We may hope, however, that. the resolution will in time have -a profound moral effect on all nations.