The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-12-25
MI. Proctor Talks OfOur Northern From

tier.
While Senator Proctor was at the head
of the War Department he devoted con-
siderable attention to the condition of
the Canadian frontier and he initiated
important steps toward improving our
northern Notifications which are about
to be carried out by the department.
Senator Proctor has just been inter-
viewedin relation to this work and his
words will be of special interest to our
readers because of the speaker as we'll as
the subject itself. Mr.. Proctor says that
within the next six months our forces on
the Canadian frontier will be trebled and
a number of Notifications will be in
progress. He suggests that the army
post at Plattsburgh, where single COM
pany has been stationed, be made regi-
mental post, the $500, 900 appropriated by
the last Congress for the work of eplarg-
ing the post having been an important
step in this direction. The improve
ments elsewhere will be quite extended
Madison barracks, at Sackett's Harbor,
N. T., is to be materially strengthened; !;
Fort Niagara, at the mouth of that river,
is to be doubled, and at Fort Wayne, at
Detroit, there are to be considerable ad-
ditions made. Fort Brady, at the Saplt
Ste. Marie canal, is to be fully garrisoned
and equipped for the purpose of defence
and Fort Sheridan, at Chicago, is to be
converted into one of the most import
ant military points along the whole
frontier ana chain of lakes.
Senator, Proctor points out the fact
that the strengthening OF the defences
along our northern frontier is not under
taken because we fear war but simply as
a matter of precaution. He thinks if we
were to begin the work of building forti-
fications directly along the border our
Canadian and English friends would be-
come unduly interested, if not excited,
and at once begin to construct fortitica-
tions on their side of the line, and we
would be little, if any, better off than be-
fore, which is manifestly sound view
of the situation.
In discussing this subject, Senator
Proctor shows that he is something of
strategist, and morever, that while he
was secretary of war he mastered the
situation so to be prepared for any emer-
gency in the shape of hostilities between
this country and Canada. In relation to
the policy to be adopted by the United
States in such an event, Mr.. Proctor
said: "The vital point along the Canadian
frontier is the canal system of the st.
Lawrence, and this would invite our first
attack. Between Montreal and Lake
Ontario, a distance of about 1874 miles,
there are six canals, not including the
Wellard canal, which makes the seventh
The WellaRd canal could hardly be at
tackled with success, being naturally de-
Tended by its geographical position along
the Niagara river. OF the other canals
there is at least one on the south side of
the st. Lawrence which, although in Can
adian, territory, can be reached by the
United States troops with comparative
ease. 1t would simply be question of
which first reached it our troops or the
Canadians. There are three other canals
within rifle shot of the American side
and would afford excellent targets for
our artillery. 1t would be no difficult
matter to blow out one of the banks with
the ordinary field guns of our artilleay
regiments. 0urpolicy now is to strength
en- our forces along the frontier so that
when trouble comes, and | sincerely hope
that time may never arrive, we can send
our troops hurriedly to the most inviting
point for attack. There is one canal, i re-
member, which is crossed by a railroad
from Rouses Poiut, owned by Americans.
The railroad could be utilized for quick
troops to that particular
canal. By appearing where we are not
expected and where no preparations had
been made for our reception, we could
nonplus the enemy and gain considerable
advantage. .n-Free Press.