Question

Background Information: This is an article by Will Irvin, a correspondent for the New York Tribune. Irvin wrote this piece in April 1915, while reporting from the western front. At the time that Irvin wrote this piece, the United States had declared neutrality in the war.

Boulogne, April 25. – The gaseous vapor which the Germans used against the French divisions near Ypres last Thursday, contrary to the rules of The Hague Convention, introduces a new element into warfare. The attack of last Thursday evening was preceded by the rising of a cloud of vapor, greenish gray and iridescent. That vapor settled to the ground like a swamp mist and drifted toward the French trenches on a brisk wind. Its effect on the French was a violent nausea and faintness, followed by an utter collapse. It is believed that the Germans, who charged in behind the vapor, met no resistance at all, the French at their front being virtually paralyzed.

The effect of the noxious trench gas seems to be slow in wearing away. The men come out of their nausea in a state of utter collapse. Some of the rescued have already died from the after effects. How many of the men left unconscious in the trenches when the French broke died from the fumes it is impossible to say, since those trenches were at once occupied by the Germans.

–Will Irvin,
1915

What were the effects of the poison gas, according to the reporter?

A.) The French were victorious over the Germans.
B.) Soldiers suffered from nausea and began to pass out, while some even died.
C.) There were few effects, and the battle continued.
D.) The gas was yellow and caused the men’s skin to blister.

Answer 1

The effects of the poison gas used by the Germans were severe, causing violent nausea, faintness, collapse, and in some cases, death among the French soldiers.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the reporter Will Irvin, the effects of the poison gas used by the Germans against the French soldiers near Ypres were severe and destructive. Soldiers suffered from violent nausea and faintness, leading to utter collapse. Some of those affected died from the aftereffects of the gas exposure. The gas used in this attack was described as a gaseous vapor, greenish gray and iridescent, that settled to the ground and moved towards the French trenches, rendering the soldiers virtually paralyzed and unable to resist the subsequent German charge.

Answer 2

Answer: B) Soldiers suffered from nausea and began to pass out, while some even died.

The reporter tells us that the effects of the gas were strong nausea and fainting. As the cloud of vapor reached the French troops in the trenches, they became nauseous and collapsed on the ground. They also seemed to be paralyzed, unable to defend themselves, and some even died. This meant that the Germans faced almost no resistance.