Show A troublesome question tho boundary line between the united elates and the british possessions in north america once more threatens to become the subject of international dispute conference and arbitration A half century ago fifty four forty or fight was a campaign cry and the coming controversy begins at that line from which president polk retreated the once northern boundary of oregon territory being the southern boundary of our territory of alaska the discussion of the ownership of pearse and wales islands and of the line of the portland land canal will rival the contest over ban juan island and san rosario or de haro straits decided in favor of the united states by the emperor of germany aa arbitrator in 1872 each year that the boundary line between alaska and british columbia remains in question increases the difficulty of determining it each year settlements are increasing in numbers more private interests are involved and the region in dispute becomes more valuable to each claimant there is great indifference to the question on our side 0 the line but in the dominion it is well understood der stood and parliament and public opinion have taken their stand canadian haapa now differ from the united states maps of that region and this boundary question promises to provoke more bitterness than the present behrig aea dispute century |