Gas. Use by Germany. Memo. By Lieut.-Gen. A.G. Bourne

The Germans invaded the neutral countries at the precise moment when it suited them to do so, and staff talks, if they had taken place, would not have altered the day or time of the invasion by one minute. So with gas. Accepting that our policy is to use gas only as a reprisal, how can we diminish the effect of the initiative thus gained by the enemy? It must be assumed that, although the secret has been remarkably well kept, arrangements have been made for an immediate response, which will not depend on any form of deliberation.