America's Unguarded Frontier The indiscreet publication of evidence given behind
closed doors by American Army officers to the Military Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives has been deprived of its sting by the vehement disclaimer of President Roosevelt. The officers, speaking of the danger from " Asia "—which, of course, means Japan—suggested the possibility of establishing American flying bases near the Canadian border, and hinted that in an emergency it might be necessary to keep under surveillance, and even occupy, British or French islands near the American coast to prevent their use as bases by the enemy. The President uses forceful language in objecting to the publi- cation, in repudiating the policy put forward by the officers, and in declaring his peaceful relations with foreign countries. The declaration is of the utmost importance, for the permanent disarmament of the common boundary between Canada and the United States as laid down by treaty makes that unguarded frontier a model for all the world. Any breach in the confidence which makes that disarmament possible would be an international disaster.
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