740.00116 E.W.1939/921
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations ( Dunn ) to the Acting Chief of the Division of European Affairs ( Atherton )
Mr. Atherton: The Secretary this afternoon said that the President had asked him to have drafted a form of announcement the President might make with respect to the use of poison gas by any of our enemies. He preferred not to take any action with respect to the reported threat of the use of poison gas by the Germans against the Russians such as the announcement in that respect made by Prime Minister Churchill of Great Britain on April 21 last, but he would prefer to have any declaration or announcement he would make apply to any enemy situation where poison gas might be employed.
I don’t know just whom you might choose to start the draft on such a pronouncement.