http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/sep41/f11sep41.htm
US warships to “shoot on sight”
Thursday, September 11, 1941 www.onwar.com
From Washington... As a result of public outrage over the Greer incident, the president announces that American warships will be able to “shoot on sight” to ensure the protection of waters “necessary for American defense.” This formalizes a situation which has been commonly occurring.
The Andrew Etherington page is unavailable at the moment. I will check back later and post it when I can - Homer.