Anti-Gas Fans

Abstract

AT the risk of the accusation of shirking inquiry, I repeat that I have no intention of entering into a controversy with Mrs. Ayrton. It will suffice to say that she is writing of things of which her knowledge is, naturally, second-hand, besides being clearly very inadequate. This is apparent in at least eight separate points in her letter, of which I will only refer to her mention of the successful use of the fans in what must obviously have been a very exceptional type of “mustard-gas” bombardment. I assure Mrs. Ayrton that she is mistaken if she imagines that she has in this matter any considerable body of support amongst those who knew the facts, from whatever point of view. I hope, in conclusion, that nothingI wrote has led Mrs. Ayrton to suppose that I regard her advocacy of her fans to be influenced by questions of “payment or reward.” Nothing was further from my mind.