The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-04
The Fonian Invasion Of Canada.

Inc Fenian Invasion oil Canada
From he WOrLd.
TIE Fenian movement on the Niagara river is
either fent, or il is an act OF fooi-hardy des-
peration. AS the Feniaus veil their designs, VIC
can reason only on what is disclosed; and
nothing which is yet disclosed relieves them
from the appearance OF willingness 10 perpe-
trale gratutoBsimischief. There was, on Friday,
pompous telegram from Buffalo, stating that
the Fenlans had crossed the Niagara river and
captured Fort Erie. The capture of British
fort sounds big; but to persons acquainted with
the locality it will appear an empty and ridcu-
lous boast, equally dishonest and yainglonous.
Fort Erie is no fort at all, any more than Fort
Lee on the Hudson, where a certain class of
pleasure-seekers rom this city go, OF summers
day, TO get breath Ot fresh air and a hne view.
The Niagara river, which emple5 the waters
OF the great Upper Lakes in Lake Ontorio, has
its head at the foot OF Lake Erie at the point
where the Buffalo creek (whose mouth arth.
ClallY widened forms the harbor OF the pros
porous city OF BulalO) emptiCs into the lake.
Exactly opposite Buffalo on the point OF land
Termed by the terminating lake on one side and
the opening river on the other, is petty viii
laee or hamlet called FoI5 Erie; but of no more
military importance than any other straggllng
Canadian village of q hundred or two nhabl-
tants 1 Fort none Is there, nor has been TOR the
last fifty years; but a curious explorer of the
locality easily finds the site of one which
listed in the .war OF 1872. No British soldiers
were found there by the tenians, not even
solitary sentinel. To telegraph all over the
country that the Fenians have captured Fort
Erie, gives to the unin ormed an idea OF a sue
cfssju1 military evnioit where eyploit there
was none no nersons knoving fine locality
the report sounds as ridiculous as would
flaming telegram announcing that the Fenians
ha / crossed the Niagara three thousand strong,
and conquered barley field.
Nor Is Fort Ere. as a mere local position, of
the slightest strategic value, as connected with
have devised, Guns mounted there would to
he sure command the entrance to the Niagara
river:ibut as pothng enters that riverfrom Lake
Eric but American craft. the possession of the
Doipt is Of no rnportance to the Fenians unless
fhey intend to make war upon the United States
or think il necessary TO repel an invasion OF
Canada from this side of the lne-the only
uses for which a fort was wanted there in the
last war with Great Britain
Unless therefore. the Fenians are demented
their operations on the Niagara river mnst b., a
mere leint intended to divert attention from
some more important movement elsewhere.
The crossing OF Fenians from Detroit TO Windsor
is also talked of: but as serious movement
that would be equally silly and preposterous
1t is such a plan of campaign as could only
orplnate in the brain of a moon calf I'm that
paTt of Canada there are neither important
towns nor any strategic positions except such as
might be important to the Canadians to prevent
an invasion IRON the States The Fenians nave
no motive to prevent such an invasion: nor is
there danger of il If they had. As a means of
keeping the way open Tor the introduction of
their own HOODS these positions are of little ac
count; Tor the United States authorities will ian.
mediately gut M these avenues more effectuaIly
than the Canadians can do, Even the possession
Of the Welland Canal could be OF little import.
ance to the Fenians. It's Lake Erie end could
avail them only as channel of sSpphes: but a
single steamer, which could be chartered in
BufIalo al an. hours notice and armed with
guns from Fort Porter would preclude all access
to The Lake Erie entrance of the Welland Canal.
At the Lake Ontario end 1t would be of no value
to them, except Tor shutting out British vessels
a thing of no importance as the brunt of the
war If there is to be a serious struggle, must be
at points further east.
Unless the Fenians are acting q comedy, or
are a pack of fools the movement on the Nj
agara river is a blind and something more
formidable is in preparation from the banks of
the St LaWreuce Ii is barely possible that theV
miphl conuuer Inner Canada if they have q
considerable body of sympathizers in that pro.
vince. provided the British sbips and soldiers
can be prevented from ascending above Mon
treaI. The very first thing for them 70 do wonld
he 10 seize some strong point on the canal
around the St. Lawrence raD,ds and Tins nre-
vent the ascent OF British troops and shTns.
Unless they can do this, they have no chance
% t th ~ %nG
aganst IL mar t;'a Ppien1nf void ho ,I5 Ii y
ag9S; ~ Do p 'ne aCsehp' WIN Oc wiz adu G
Tawrence canals would enmaIIv sbut ont