The Riddle of the Rhine Chemical Strategy in Peace and War

My motives in writing this book are sufficiently explained in the first chapter. The silence surrounding the true facts of the chemical campaign the tardy realisation of the real forces behind it in Germany and our failure to grasp the significance of the matter in the Treaty all pointed to the need for an early statement. More recently this need has been emphasised by inaccurate public utterances on the matter and by its vital importance for the full and fair treatment of certain legislative measures before Allied countries. A unique experience of chemical warfare in all its aspects first with a combatant gas unit on the British front in France then as Liaison Officer with France and other Allies on all Chemical Warfare and allied questions has afforded me an exceptionally complete survey of the subject. Later post-armistice experience in Paris and the occupied territories assisting Lord Moulton on various chemical questions in connection with the Treaty and surveying the great chemical munition factories of the Rhine has provided a central view of the whole matter which can have been the privilege and opportunity of very few. Further my association with the dye industry since commencing this book leaves me with a deep conviction of the critical importance for disarmament of a world redistribution of organic chemical production. It is inevitable that such a step should benefit the growing organic chemical industries of countries other than Germany but this issue need not be shirked. The importance of the matter is so vital that it eclipses all reproach that the disarmament argument for the maintenance of the dye industry is used on selfish grounds. Such reproach cannot in fairness be heard unless it destroys the case which we have established. We are faced with the following alternatives. Safety demands strong organic chemical industries or cumbersome and burdensome chemical warfare establishments. The stability of future peace depends upon the former and the extent to which we must establish or can abandon the latter depends entirely on the activity and success of those whose special duty it is to organise against war. A recent visit to America revealed the considerable publicity and public interest surrounding chemical warfare strengthening my conviction that the facts now noised abroad should be presented in their proper setting. They are supremely significant at the present time and for the future hence the chapters which follow. V. LEFEBURE. HAMPSTEAD October 12 1920