Question

this is an article by will irwin, a correspondent for the new york tribune. irwin wrote this piece in april 1915, while reporting from the western front. at the time, 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 what were the effects of the poison gas, according to the reporter? the german troops became too weak to defeat the french. soldiers suffered from nausea, passed out, and even died from the effects. there were few effects from the gas, and the battle continued. the gas was bright yellow and caused the soldiers skin to blister.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option against the article:

• Option 1: The article says Germans met no resistance (French were paralyzed), not Germans were weak. Eliminate.
• Option 2: The article states the gas caused "violent nausea and faintness, followed by an utter collapse" and implies death (since it's poison gas in war). This matches.
• Option 3: The article shows significant effects (French paralyzed), so "few effects" is wrong. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The gas is described as "greenish gray and iridescent", not bright yellow, and no mention of blisters. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. Soldiers suffered from nausea, passed out, and even died from the effects.