The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-07-12
A LITTLE WAR CLOUD.
srItIss, Mon of war 20 Defend Can
adlan Vessels From American
Cruiser Attacks,

A
ron in the Pacific Is q matter Of well
authenticated report, but the nature
o. tae instructions cannot definitely
be ascertained.
1t is understood that the flagship
Warspite has been ordered to the Pa
cifc coast of British America, and
that a formidable array OF men. Of
war is to he gathered there to defend
vessels sailing under the English flag
against American attack. How fal
the English may be prepared to go is
not stated, but American cruisers con
veyins prizes to San Francisco will be
very likely to encounter English ships
of war on the voyage, and probably
be asked for explanations.
1t is stated that the American naval
force on the Pacific is Insignificant
compared with the British squadron
and that the English will have nc
difficulty in sustaining England's
rights, as they are called, in those
waters. A hostile encounter between
British and American war ships would
not of necessity involve war, but
would certainly tend to provoke it
In this connection Lieut.. Gen. Henry
Brackenbury, of the British army,
director OF military intelligence and
brother of the late eminent Ma Gen.
Brackenbury, is quoted as comment
ing on the recent assertion that Can.
ada would fall ready prey in the
event OF war between
THE UNITED srATEs AND GREAT BRITAIN.
1t took the Northern states iour
years to conquer the states OF the
South, and that with every advantage
in the way OF climate and knowledge
OF the country invaded. as well as the
great and unusual advantage oil the
presence of several millions OF slave
population in sympathy with the in
habitants and from whom many val
liable recruits were obtained for the
Northern army.
The United States would find the in
vasion of Canada even a more iormid.
able task. Winter campaigning, which
was far from difficult in the warm eli.
mate OF the Confederacy, would be i'm.
possible there, and an army caught in
the winter SHOWS would either be hem
med in, with imminent risk ofdestruc
tion by an energetic and tIreless enc
my, or would have to retreat under
circumstances not dissimilar as TO
weather from Napoleon's disastrous
retreat amid the snews and piercing
gales OF q Russian winter.
Besides the ports OF Canada would
not be blockaded, as were the ports
of the South during the war, and the
| supply of men and material would be
abundant. The Americans OF British
and Irish stock are undoubtedly, with
proper discipline, soldiers equal tc
any in the world, but it is to be re-
continent Of Europe a very large pro-
portion are fugitives from military
service.
The general added that war between
Great Britain and the United States
was q calamity not to ne contem'
| plated without the most serious pro-
vocation; but that in the event oi
such q war an invasion OF Canada
would not be q holiday campaign.
The aggressive action in regard to the
Behring sea is somewhat complicated
in popular opinion here with the ris,
ing Indignation on the subject Of the
American tariff.
PREPARING TO RESIST.
A special telegram from Victoria,
British Columbia, dated the 9th inst.
SAYS that the news telegraphed from
Port Townsend that a special messen
ger had arrived from Washington with
instructions for the commanders oI
the United States cruisers TO proceed
to the Behring sea and seize all yes
sells found with any evidences that they
had been engaged in the seal fishery
causec great indignation.
| At the same time comes the story
that the British squadron has beer
ordered to rendezvous at Esquimault
The majority OF the British CoIum
bians, however, believe that no mat
ter what acts Of piracv may be com
mitted by the Yankees the British wa
ships will not interfere.
For this reason Canadians will TAX
the matter into their hands and NEE
force with force on the high seas.
Is known that the crews OF all vessel
proceeding to the sealing grounds wer
fully armed, with q view OF resistin
seizure, but the story has leaked on
that two clipper schooDers are bein
secretly fitted out in Maple bay espe
cially to meet the Yankees.
1t is said that these vessels will eacI
carry q heavy swivel besides tw,
smaller guns, and disguised as sealer
will tempt seizure so rs to bring o.
an encounter. Regarding the stor,
Capt. Scott, a veteran sealer, say
that the report is no doubt true, bu
that the matter had been kept secre
for lear OF British interruption. TIL
shippers OF the two vessels IN whic
he was interested had armed thei
crews, and before sailing swore to g
to the bottom rather than submit t,
seizure.
THE SEALING PoAcHERs SAIL.
Word was received from 0ttaws
Ont. that the Canadian sealing flee
. now leaving for Behring sea are abou
the same as last seasons. The cell
: brated schooners Black Diamond
Juniata and Mollie Adams have oil
tanned leave from the authorities I
change their names to Katherine
Q Mascot and K. b. Marvin, RESPECTIVE,
; ly. Last season the number OF sea
caught by Canadian vessels In Bel
. ring sea was 1885, while the tot,
> catch WAS Qo. $40. yalued nj abOu