The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-21
ON THE CANADIAN BORDER.

PREPARATIONS BY THE DOMINION MILITIA TO
ION ON THE FRONTIER.
Tx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
BUFFALO, May 90 1878.
The rumcrs OF another impending Fenan raid on
Canada induced your correspondent 10 cross tho Nj
agara River from this city, this afternoon, for the
purpose OF inquiring into the causes Of tho warke
preparations at Fort Erie and elsewhere
along the Canada side OF the border. Tho
RUNS OF old Fort Erie famed since The
war of 1872 stand within easy cannon shot OF the
ruins OF old Fort Porter, en- tho American shore.
The Canadian village oil Fort Erie lies short distance
below, on The Niagara River, opposite and within rifle
shot OF the American village OF Black Rock, To-
corporatcd among the wards OF The city OF Buffalo.
There could DO no more convenient place tor
Ing into Canada and has been twice used to advan-
tage by the Fcnians.
FORMER IsvAsioSs
On the ID OF june 1866 the famous raid was made
over the Niagara, which resulted IN the battle OF
Ridgeway, and in subsequent skirmsh at Fort Erie
village, which closed with the surrender o! small
pany OF Canadian volunteers The frame house where
the latter attemp rally stu stands the numer us
bullet holes which perforated II on that occasion
having been stopped up with pegs, paint and putty.
In 1870 the ext scare occurred the main
ton oil the Fenians bong made that year at Rouse's
Point.
CANADIAN MILITIA READY.
Tho people OF Fort Erie having thus actually felt the
fire OF the Fcnians are us wary as burnt children.
The recent order from Ottawa directing the voun-
by the one company in the village, as
indeed II was obeyed throughout the Province
OF Ontario There are said TO be now in the Province
AT least thirty-hve thousand men under arms and
ready TO march at an hours notice. They could all
be assembled on the frontier in lorty-eight hours.
AMMUNITION DISTRIBUTED AND BEING EXPENDED OK
ROBINS.
The arms and equipments Of the company at Fort
Erie have been removed from the drill sLed ana dis
trbuted among the men, together with plentiful
supply OF ammunition TINS may be available
case OF new Fenan invasion, Il It shall no. IN tho
meantime have been exhausted on tho robins which
throng tho neighborng fields ''Pop, pop, popo
.'Checp cheep," were the sounds that saluied tho
writer to-day he drove along the roads IN light
American buggy.
OPINION OF rns AMERICAN CONSUL
The American Consul Fort Erie, Mr.. Phillips,
has received no authentic information OF the
lions of the Fenians lie says he has inquired d
gently among the authorities al Fort Erie aud also
Euilao and can make nothns uennite out oil the
rent reports and rLmors. The only circumstance at all
suspicious which has come uDder ms notice tho
behavior OF Two strange freshmen who called on him
ut the Consulate three days ago. Sir. Phillips adds
that during The Fenan excitement OF 1870 his resi-
dence was sought for refuge and became sorehouso
Tor many trunks and household articles belonging to
subjects OF the Queen The present agitation has not
caused any similar application to DO madc 10 nim.
Therefore he concludes That the Canadians do not
seriously beevc that there will DO another attempt
at q Fenian invasion al this time.
DIVIDED CANADIAN VIEWS.
The Canadians themselves are divided In opinion,
Some profess to regard the whole matter lightly,
others are very uneasy Still another class believe
that while the Fenans are not strong enough In mum.
bcrs IN means to undertake. real invasion, there
would undoubtedly be some Ielnts made in Of
war between England and Russia-!eints for tho
purpose OF exciting Hibcrnisn enthusiasm and en-
abling tho Fenan leaders 10 ''rsise tho wind."
BUFFALO SHAKES IT'S HEAD.
This latter OPINION Is shared to some extent on tho
American side In The city OF Buffalo, one and
certainly no reputable lrshmap, Is willing 10 avow
undertake the conquest Of Capada. But IL Is thought
not wholly unlikely that certain restless Fenian
chiefs have mate some progross toward
understanding by which the meagre numbers
OF Fenans who arc armed In the lake cities would DO
induced 10 rendezvous and try coup, close upon the
announcement OF war between Russia and 4 n gland
this in the hope that in OF success,
though success should have TO DO followed
by temporary retreat the enthusiasm o! Irisasnen
throughout the North would swell ale fcnisn racks
into formidable army just now. however, Il Ia
very difficult ~ Ana Liosdy minded Esusss. Multi
CANS statements arc regarded rs wild and boastful
IRISH ORGANIZATIONS IN DuppALo.
While It is not believed at the local newspaper
Offices or elsewhere that any extensive preparations
have been perfected Tor even demonstration toward
Canada on tho part OF Fcnans In this net shoor-
hood there some indications ;hat tho elcmcn Is
OF which another Fenan I'D might be projected
In fermentation An organization calling itsof tho
ssIrish Nutonastsu has its branches here. rs in
other lake cities and gave river EXCURSIONS
last year Tor the purpose OF adding TO what called
tho .skirmshius Fund Its members are ndor,l ood
to be decidedly favor OF independent Ireland,
ana opposed to Great Britain and British authority.
80 Z, MILITARY DRILLING.
1nerc also more military compatics
STYLING III emsclvcs ss1hc IRISH R so These are re-
pen,shing their ranks ana tho Courier OF inoffow
will publish call from tho captain Of OF them
the members to meet tomorrow night for drill and
other purposcs.n
RETIcEScE or freshmen.
Members OF most OF the lrsn here arc
roticcnt when approached the subject OF Fem
The thing that II liz safe say Is that
war between England and Russia freshmen, as a
class, would be Tor Russia They avow tnis openly.