White House news release.
Authoritative reports are reaching this Government
of the use by Japanese armed forces in various localities of China of
poisonous or noxious gases. I desire to make it unmistakably clear that,
if Japan persists in this inhuman
form of warfare against China or against any other of the United Nations,
such action will be regarded by this Government as though taken against
the United States, and retaliation in kind and in full measure will
be meted out. We shall be prepared to enforce complete retribution.
Upon Japan will rest the responsibility.