HEMISPHERIC DEFENSE
August 18, 1940
(Department of State Bulletin, Aug. 24, 1940)

[Issue after a conference between President Roosevelt and Prime Minister 
Mackenzie King of Canada at Odgensburg, New York on August 17, 1940 to 
discuss mutual defense concerns of the United States and Canada. LWJ]

The Prime Minister and the President have discussed the mutual problems 
of defense in relation to the safety of Canada and the United States.

It has been agreed that a Permanent Joint Board on Defense shall be set 
up at once by the two countries.

This Permanent Joint Board on Defense shall commence immediate studies 
relating to sea, land and air problems including personnel and materiel.

It will consider in the broad sense the defense of the north half of the 
Western Hemisphere.

The Permanent Joint Board on Defense will consist of four or five 
members from each country, most of them from the services.  It will meet 
shortly.