Secretary Rusk. That is correct, sir, and this statement was made on the basis of such information as was available to us in the first 24 hours.
Mr. Rankin. I was also asked to inquire whether that was an official statement if under your responsibility or if you could tell me who would be responsible for it?
Secretary Rusk. Well, I would have to check the actual source of the statement. But I would have no present doubt that it was an officer of the Department who was authorized to make that and for which I would be fully responsible.
Mr. Rankin. That is all I have.
Mr. Dulles. Could I ask a question in connection with that?
The Chairman. Mr. Dulles.
Mr. Dulles. There was some evidence presented here quite recently when the district attorney of Dallas was here with regard to a message from Washington, from the White House to the attorney general of Texas, who was also here the other day before the Commission, on this point: A rumor had reached Washington that in preparing the indictment there, they were going to put in some reference to an international conspiracy. As a matter of fact, when that was run down it was not a correct rumor. But when that reached Washington, the reaction was rather strong and I think entirely understandable, and word went back to Dallas from high quarters that that should not, hoped that that would not be included in the legal proceedings and papers that were filed in connection with the assassination of the President and charging——
Mr. Rankin. Unless there was evidence to support it.
Mr. Dulles. Unless there was evidence to support it. And the district attorney, who was here, testified that he had never considered adding that into it, putting that in the proceedings because if you put it in you had to prove it, and it is not necessary at all. All you need to do is allege a murder with intent, and so forth, and so on. So that that was all pretty well cleared up.
Mr. Dulles. Did that ever reach your attention, did you know anything about that?