MESSAGE FROM LORD HALIFAX FOR THE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION 
      OF THE PRESIDENT.
 
      
 
 
We do not regard Hitler's speech at Wilhelmshaven as at all 
      reassuring and all our information goes to show that he is irritated 
      with us for our efforts to organize a common resistance against 
      his aggressive policy.
 
      
 
 
The German press warns us that Germany intends to take preventive 
      action against the so-called "encirclement policy" 
      of England. One newspaper even maintains that our "effort 
      to confine Germany's living space through alliances with smaller 
      states is an unprovoked attack by Britain on German freedom and 
      equality of rights".
 
      
 
 
Our Embassy at Berlin informs us that the attitude of the 
      press accurately reflects Hitler's frame of mind. They add that 
      they learn from a reliable source that the first sign of German 
      intentions, which will be kept secret until the last moment, 
      will be a lightning attack on the British fleet with the object 
      of delivering a knockout blow. There will be neither an ultimatum 
      nor a declaration of war but Hitler alone will decide the time 
      for action and will personally issue the vital order without 
      consulting his military advisers.
 
      
 
 
We are arranging to take suitable precautionary measures.
 
      BRITISH EMBASSY
 
      WASHINGTON, D.C 
 
      April 5th, 1939