The Cordova daily times., 1917-05-07
AMERICAN ROAD THROUGH WEST
 CANADA

The new intimacy sure to develop between the United States and Can. ada on account of their joint efforts Tn the war against Germany, ought to be made to yield material advantage to both when the war is over.
 The United States has a vulnerable possession in Alaska. When the war is over, Canada ought to allow the United States to tie itself fast to Alas ka by means of a railway running through British Columbia and Yukon territory.
 A growing part of the American de- mocraey lives up around the Arctic circle, and connects with the parent stem by water route frequently dan gerous and always inconvenient. The only method of linking Alaska over land with the United States is by means of a railroad through western Canada.
 This railway will not be constructed as commercial proposition, by pri- vate ownership for many years to come. Canadians are not commercial ly interested in running a north and south railway through British Colum- bia. Canadian roads in that part of the dominion run east and west, con meeting the Atlantic with the Pacific.
 Only the United States government has special interest in constructing a railway toward the Arctic circle
 Why, therefore, shouldn't Canada agree, at the end of the war, to per init an American owned line to be built through British Columbia and the Yukon territory, so that the far north ern democracy can be permanently united with it's governing head?
 The concession to lay the tracks for such a road would include the grant of narrow tract of ground on both sides of the line, to be protected, if occasion arises, by the United States military authorities.
 If the United States were at war with Pacific power, under present conditions, Alaska might well fall a prey to an invading army rha-Ana-- erican navy could not be used to pro tect the Alaskan coast with so many superior reasons existing for it's pro tective power being divided between guarding the Pacific states and re- maining in reserve for any additional enemies that might attempt to attack the Atlantic frontage. Enemy troops would meet but handful of garrison ing troops in Alaska, who would soon be overcome.
 But with an American owned rail way running to Alaska, United States troops could be sent north in suffi- cient numbers to save Alaska from falling into an enemy's hands.
 If Canada were to allow such a rail way to be constructed, it would be agreed by the United States that in the wholly improbable event of war between this country and Canada, the dominion would have the right to seize the railway.
 The grant of the right of way for the construction of the railway need not necessarily be made to the United States government. It is the Euro pean custom of governments to sub sidize companies for such purposes as this
 Canada would receive great benefit from an American-Alaskan railway system. The northern part of British Columbia would be opened to settle ment, and pioneers would be encouI- aged to move into Yukon territory.
 British Columbia, with an area of 355,S55 square miles, has a popula- tion of only 502, ,O0O, less than two peo- pie to the square mile. Yukon terri tory, with an area of 207,000 square miles, has only $500 inhabitants. Yu. kon Is practically a lost corner of Canada. and it would be united to the dominion by the American railway line as fully as Alaska would be joined to it's own political center.
 A railway to Alaska ought to go north 900 miles to the Yukon boun- dary, then 250 miles west and not strike Alaska near any part of the southern group of islands known as the Alexander archipelago. Branch lines could run to Juneau and Skag- way: but for the main line to ven ture too near the coast might place it in danger of being cut by a venture some enemy.-Juneau Dispatch.