中缅边境问题由来已久，从问题初现到彻底解决历时近百年，其中“1941线”的划定，能很好地体现英国处理这一问题的态度和方法。英国以南段未定界的解决为同意建设滇缅铁路的前提，并最终如愿以偿。英国政府内部在筹谋过程中意见不一：反对者认为，滇缅铁路经过的地区施工不易，且战时援建铁路收益未知。支持者则认为，支援中国能够转移日本注意力，减轻英国作战压力。随着法西斯阵营力量增强，英国最终同意铁路建设，但在南段未定界上立场坚决。战况紧急，中国政府将铁路建设置于边界问题之上，因而向英国妥协，达成“1941线”。

The disagreement between Britain and China on Burma-Yunnan frontier existed for a long period. It takes nearly a hundred years before the eventual settlement of the problem. How Britain deals with the 1941 Frontier Line represents the country’s attitude and diplomatic maneuvers. At first Britain refused to build the Burma-Yunnan railway unless the southern undetermined frontier was settled by Britain’s will. During the preparation, there were different opinions among British officials. Those who disagreed with the railway claimed that it was very difficult to build railway in rainy mountains, and it was too much to pay while Britain was also at war. Notwithstanding, supporter asserted that the construction made Japan concentrate more on China Battlefield, which relieved Britain’s stress. With the enemy gaining strength, Britain finally agreed with the construction of the railway, but refused to make compromise on boundary problem. Provided the difficult situation, Chinese government accepted Britain’s conditions and agreed on the 1941 Frontier Line.