Recent events have shown thatthe realization of the deadliness of modern warfare is sufficient to ensure a period during which negotiations to avert war will take place but it is better to have all air raid precautionary measures fully worked out and materials stored for immediate use, said Mr. W. P. Rial, lecture ing to members of the Engineering Society of China at the Park Hotel yesterday on "Air Raid Precautions," The paper was given under the auspices of the Shanghai Association of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Mr, Rial declared that the main sources of danger in an air raid are high explosive bombs, incendiary bombs, gas bombs or gas sprays, and in an exhaustive survey he elaborated on these points, giving details of these bombs and sprays and their effect, especially on public utility services. He dealt with the problems of telephone, water, gas and electricity services and stressed the important burden of responsibility falling on the highways department of municipal authorities in keeping the roads open for fire engines and ambulances and the organization of an adequate personnel to maintain this highly important service. This would also include attending to damaged buildings and the allied problem of rescuing people trapped in wrecked buildings, assuming that the fire brigade and the police, who in normal circumstances would handle this aspect, would be fully occupied in other duties during a raid.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.