davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
CAPTURING CANADA.
Our Six Invading Armies Would
Make Short Work Of 1t.

NEW YORK. De-. 81 distinguishes
officer ofthe army consented u give an on line
o. the probable movements Of United s ates
armies in the event Of Il war with Grea,
Britain.
In the first place." he said. Canada
would naturally be the principal lighting
ground for our land 70 ces. There are six
objective points along the shores of Lake
Ontario anu the banks of the st. Lawrence -
the cities Of Hamilton, Toronto. st. Gather
ines, Kingston, Ottawa and ontrea
"An army oil 80. 900 or GO.000 would un,
doubtly be assembled at Buffalo. This army
could eros the Niagara Il vcr mt Black Rock
and land at For, Ridgway. Once across, it
would advance on Port Sarnia meanwhile so
far destroyins the Welund ship canal as to
render it useless. From Port Surnia the
line Of march would be toward Hamilton,
which could be easily captured. Then
Toronto would be attacked.
"A second army Of similar strength would
concentrate at Rochester. and under the pro-
lection of gunbouts land either below or
above st. GATHERINGS. The third army would
be dispatched from Cape Vincent aga nSt
Kingston, probably landing at Gauanou ~
Then another force would he sent to O-,.cns-
burg, with orders to cross the st. Lawrcnrs
River, cli ture both Brockvie Prescott and
push ON to Ottawa. These four movement,
would throw over 200 900 on II border line of
l3o miles, and one could re- II 'orce the other
III case OF ne 'essity. or they would operate
with each other. as circumstances called for
Malone. \. y, would be another point of
assembling an army of invasion. The SIKH
army should be gathered at st. Adams. VT.
and crossing the treaty line. twenty-four
miles away, advance in northea' 'tetly
direction which would unite it the Malone
army. Then the combined force could march
straight for Montreal, taking the city in the
rear. The city of Quebec need not be at
tac ied until the province Of Ontario and the
upper part of Quebec were in our hands.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
BOSTON HARBOR'S DEFENSES.
How people think the forts should be placed in the harbor

the outer islands would take millions Of
money and years OF time, but in spite of that
the plan has its advocates, who declare it
the only measure that will give the city u
reasonable degree of security from attack by
sea. The line indicating the 10 mile radius
from the state house shows that the four
outer defenses, rs proposed, would come
nearly, If not quite, out to this line, and the
point to which ships could safely approach
would not bring them within 15 miles of the
gilded dome on Beacon hill.
The defense system of Boston as at pre-
sent projected, OF which the works at Win
throp head are part. comprises 1872 12-inch
rified morta-s. 32 for Nahant 32 for Deer
i-land 16 for Paddocks island and the re-
manning 20 to be variously placed. deter
mined later. Work on these mortars is now
in progress, and those Of the battery at
Winthrop head are already in place. The
guns have the same breech mechanism as the
modern heavy ordnance being constructed
for the coast defense, and differ from it only
in length. They are fired from sunken
battery at an angle of As degrees, the projec-
tile rising high in the air Their range is six
miles, and the weight of the projectles is 800
pounds.
Fort Warren is now being entirely recon-
structed, the old masonry being replaced by
earthworks that will resist the heaviest shot,
and new and heavy guns are being put in
r,lnpn
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28

"By this concerted movement of six big
armies the British and Canadian forces would
be divided ana beaten IN detail.
The fighting in any event must be of des-
pcrate character by cutting so wide q swath
along the Canadian frontier, the United
States troops would cut Off Manitoba, British
Columbia aud the other English possessions
in the Northwest. There would be some
lighting on United States soil. for the enemy
would not always wait for our advance, so
the northern counties of New York, Ver-
mont. New Hampshire an Maine would
should be remembered tina. our capture of
and rapid movements, covered by feints ut
other points with smaller bodies of troops.
Canada would undoubtedly endeavor to
protect the cities named by erecting eNten-
sive earthworks. Our effort would be made
to pierce the Canadian lines OF earthworks,
Just rs Grant did at Fort Donelson. Con.
centratiny an artillery fire on one point in
the works we could soon render it untenable.
| believe that these six invading armies
could advance on Canada within four months
after levy for troops
IF war does occur it will be of short dura-
tion, for modern guns and rifles make brief
campaigns. One or two victories would de-
eide the entire question, and we must be
prepared to fight hard, quickly and with II
sudden dash. A million OF men coull. il
necessary, be assembled by uS on the Cana
dian frontier rs easi y AS $40 OO0. for our in
terror network of railroads could carry
troops from every state to the points threat
ened by the English or to be threatened by
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
SOME MORE BONDS.
New Issue Will Be Made With
out Delay.
President Cannot See Any Hope In
Congress.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Dec. 24-An1t 1ther
issue of bonds will at once be made. This is
the result of Il conference at the white house
between the president See. Olnev. See
Carlisle. See. Lamont and Atty-Gen Harmon.
The president has brcome convinced that
no legislation can receive the assent of con-
Eress, or ut least not such legislation rs the
emergency demands, and that congress is
more cone 'rned in playing politics than it is
in protecting the country.
The utmost secrecy in regard to the new
bond issue has been maintained, and ut the
present time probably not IA dozen pers Ms
including the members of the cabinet know
OF the white house conference or the i'm
portant decision which was reached at
the meeting of the president and a few of his
advisers.
Whe her the bonds will be sold as they
were the last time. through private con-
tract, or offered to the public ut IN upset
price to the highest bidder cannot be def
nitely ascertained. 1t is believed that the
treasury will fix price so rs TO net the pur
chaser about three per cent and will then in
vitc bids for the bonds above the minimum
price.
In view of the stra ned relations existing
between this country aud Great Britain, and
the raid made upon all of our securities by
Europe since the publication OF the Neuez-
ucan correspondence, it is regarded rs i'm
possible to secure gold from Europe. The
bonds must be sod In this country, and the
purchasers will be rendering the government
II patriotic act in taking them.
The gold reserve is about S65, 900 600. 1t
Is the de-. ire Of the president TO maintain it
ut :lO0 900. .U0J and bonds sufficient to bring
1t up to that figure will be issued. II the
subscriptions should be greatly IN excess Of
tie issue now determined upon the total may
be increased, as tie administration believes
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
BOSTON HARBOR.
Most Dcfrnsclcss One on Atlantic
SeabOard in Case Of Attack.

BOSTON, Dee. "a Boston harbor is the
most defenseless on the Atlantic seaboard
from attacks of Il modern navy. 1t is con
ceded that at the present time foreign war
vessels, with the heavy guns now III use,
could cruise around the bay out of range OF
all the guns on the harbor defenses, and send
as many shells into the city us pleased their
fancy.
The only modern guns mounted IN Boston
harbor at the present time are at fort Warren
and on Winthrop point. where the recently
completed masked mortar battery is located.
The guns In the mortar battery are calculated
to send a projectile six miles.
The government is carrying forward the
work of building second strong battery in
Winthrop, at Growers Bluff, and guns have
been ordered to be placed as well ut Nahant,
Ger Island and Paddocks Island. but in the
event of war. it is stated by persons familiar
with the subject, that these batteries would
not half meet the eXigences Of the situation
when a hostile feet opened fire on the city.
1t may be said that there il no possibility
that either the coast dcicnscs or the war ships
of our navy could prevent Il British fleet
from entering Broad sound, between Nahant
and Green island, and between Outer Brew
ster island and Point Alle.ton, AMI lombard
ing the city. 1t would be possible for Il war
ship to stand from 5000 to 10000 yards from
Fort Warren, out of accurate range of our
guns. and send projectle' into Boston. The
so English guns have a range of II miles.
With heavy guns on Nahant, Green Island,
Outer Brewster and Pt. Allerton, the bay would
be covered at comparatively short range,
and no fleet could come near enough to the
city to do damage. To install batteries on
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
POLITICAL ALLIANCE
Family of PAN American Repub-
lies Being Formed.
In This Way the Monroe Doctrine Is
Already Bearing Fruit.

WASHINGTON d. C.. Dec. 4-Thesc are
the days of great movements in the political
world. 4 Pan American political II lance is
being formed BY means OF correspondence
between number of the principal republics
of Americn. Moreover, this movement has
been under way for some time.
The meetings Of Ministers AndSade. Ro-
nero and Mendonca, representing respect
lively Venezuela. Mexico and Brazil, with
Secretary Oiney was only link in the chain.
For several weeks correspondence between
these and other American governments has
been in progress
The proposal under consideration is the
formation of Il Pan. merican arbitration
board, to sit permanently and to have cog
nizance of all boundary and other disputes
arising between the republics of this heluis-
phere 1t is believed actual development, in
this direction will occur within a few days.
The plan under consideration is for the as
sembling in Washington of an international
congress to arrange the details.
1t is well understood that this arrangement.
If perfected, means much more than mere
method of settling boundary and other dis
putes. Its true significance Is an alliance for
political purposes bet wcen all the republican
states Of the hemisphere, under the LEADER
ship of this country. In this way the Mon
roe doctrine is already bearing fruit
Tho weaker American powers in whose de-
fense sccondarily. because in our own de
fense primarily. we have issued a note Of de-
fiance to Great Britain, are ut this uneNpect-
cd date preparing to cluster themselves about
the American power.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
OUR HONOR TO BE UPHELD.
Passage by the Senate of the Ven.
eZuelan Commission Bill.

WASHING ron. ID. c., Dee. 24.-'rhe SEN
ate of the United States served notice upon
Wall street and Lombard street that no con
siderations of stocks or money would in
iluence the course of Congress when 1t comes
to II question of maintaining the national
honor. by Il unanimous vote the Ven.
ezuelan bill rs passed by the House was
adopted. and with almost equal unanimity
the proposition to amend ii in two or three
particua RS was voted down.
II was felt that this was the most impres.
sve answer that could be made to the
threats uttered by English nanciers to de-
stroy American credit rs II means of cowing
the American spirit.
The full text of the bill, as amended by the
committee is us follows:
BE it enacted that the sum of 800, 900, or
so much thereof rs may be necessary, be and
the same is hereby appropriated, for the ex-
penseS of commission to consist of three
lnembersto be appointed by the president by
and with the advice and consent of the s ~
ate, to investigate and report to him. the
divisional line between the Republic fVenez-
,iela and b .itish Guiana.
Provided. That section 2 OF the act ap-
proved July 81, 1894. making appropriation
for the legislative, executive aud judicial ex-
penses Of the Government. and for other
purposes. shall not apply to any comtns-
sioner appointed under this act.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
PEACEFUL OUTLOOK.
General Belief in Washington That
The Real Crisis Has Been Passed.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24-Thc exciting
war talk of the last few days incident to the
consideration by Congress of the residents
Venezuelan message has entirely subsidized
and the administration and cons 'rvatlve men
in congress are OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES that
the boundary commission bill has become II
law without any riders which would have
tended to aggravate IN already serious stua.
ton. The general belief here is that the real
crisis has been passed. All the talk has u
peaceful tone, and it has bpen noticed with
satisfaction that the London dispatches are
Of u less bellicose nature than II few days
ago.
Administration ofIic al still insist that
there will be q strict adherence to the pre-i-
dents position. but they all express the firm
belief, tnat ii Great Britain does not reach
an amicable settlement with Venezuela in the
meantime, the result of the commissions in
vestigatiOn will open up a legitimate way for
the settlement of the long pending contro.
versy in u manner entirely honorable to both
sides.
A member OF the cabinet said lie doubted
very much II any commission could deter
mine upon Il true divisional line, and h.
made the prediction that the commission
would report that there is not sufficient evil
dence to be found anywhere to enable any
one to say which side legally owns certain
portions of the territory. 1t is believed this
would probably result in inducing Great
Britain to reopen negotiations with Venezuela
tor an agreement upon a divisional line. even
if she would not formerly acknowledge the
right of the United States to apply the Mon
70, doctrine to the dispute.
The commission will convene In Washing
ton Immediately after its appointment and
will receive from the president its iIstruc-
tions rs to its work. 1t will be furnished
with all the records on file in the state Il de.
partment, and Senor Andrade, the Vene-
zuelan Minister to the United States will
supplement this by papers which he is now
engaged in collecting.
There is good authority for the statement
that the commission will add,e ess note to
the British government, through the state
departme mt asking i. to furnish is side of the
controversy. Just how Lord Salisbury will
take such communication Is u question. 1t
may be-and this is looked upon rs his prob.
able course that he will refuse to grant the
request. In this event the commission
will decide the matter upon the evidence it is
abe to collect Holland and Spain are also
expected to be called on to supply informa.
ton.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
RICH COUNTRY.
Native Wealth and Character OF
VcneZuPlanS.

Althoughth republic Of Venezuela has been
a somewhat settled and comparatively well
defined country for more than 400 years. it is
not until recently that the attention of the
people of the United States became strongly
attracted t. this sister republic on the South
American continent.
Venezuela is a large country, larger than
F,ance, Germany and Holland combined. 1t
is equal in extent to the great States OF Texas
Colorado. Idaho and California joined to-
gether. Including the territory in dispute
with England, Venezuela has an area of al.
most 600, 900 square miles. Venezuela lies
altogether within the torrid equatorial region
the great line passing through the southern
most territory Of Alto-Amazonas.
Venezuela is a Federal Repub ic. Its con
sttution is modelled on those of the United
States and Switzerland. There are open
elections, free speech. free press. religious
liberty, security OF person and property. pro.
hibition of slavery and no Imprisonment for
debt. But in Venezuela there is no writ of
habeas corpus and no>trial by jury. The
legislative power is lodged in senate and u
House of Deputies. There are three sena-
tors from each state, and, with their alter
mates, they serve four years. One deputy is
upportioned to each 81, 900 inhabitants. The
Venezuelan congress consists OF 27 senators
and 53 deputies.
The population of Venezuela is q 400, 900
by the latest census. On the peace footing
the army numbers 1000 men. In case OF
war the effective force can be raised to Co.
O0c men. The annual revenue of the coun-
try is 50. 500 900. of which two-thirds Is from
customs duties. Venezuela imports annually
3l3,OOD, 600 worth of merchandise. and eX.
ports Sl6000.0 900 worth. The principal ex
port is coffee equal to !15,0OO,0O0 per an
nun.
The executive power Of Venezuela is vested
in II president, who acts in conf junction with
his cabinet and the federal council. He holds
Office for two years and cannot be at once
reelected. The federal council Is composed
Of Il senator and deputy from each state and
n deputy from the federal district, chosen by
congress from among its own members for
II term of two years. The federal council
chooses the president Of Venezuela from its
own ranks. The courts are organized much
like our own. There is system Of free pub
lic schools. rhe federal district corresponds
to the District of Columbia.
The chief city of Venezuela is the capital.
Caracas. 1t has population of $4,000 per-
sons. The other chief cities are Valencia
40, 900 population; Maracaibo, $1,000; Bar
quisimeto. $4,000. and Cindad Bolivar, r..
O,N
Venezuela remained under Spanish rule
until 1911. when Simon Bolivar proclaimed
her Independent. The Independence OF
Venezuela was recognized by Spain in 1915.
In 1916 a series of civil wars began and did
not close until 1870.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
SAFE ON THE LAKES.
impossible for Foreign Warships 1,
BOInbard Frontier Cities.

DETROIT. Mich Dec. "a Alex McNi,tie
the general manager of the Detroit Dry
Dock Company, that recently made 4 bid foi
construct M small war ships for the govern.
ment, said THAI the talk OF England sending
big leet of cruisers to lombard the elite
was Nonsense. He explained that, while
these cruisers draw fifteen feet OF water they
would have to pass through the VI elland
Canal, twenty-seven miles long. that has only
thirteen feet in the locks. and another canal
with only nine feet. He ndied
I've could turn out small boats of the
llSht-draft torpedo type very rapidly. and
on rush order furnish the government two
OOO-ton armored ighti machines every
six months. and the other shipyards would
make this a to:al of ten every six months. II
the contest was prolonged the Canadians
would be ut Il great disadvantage rs their
ship-builIing facilities cannot be compared
to ours, for the shipyarls ON the lakes could
turn out boats us fast rs the government
could supply the urmor. and In Il very short
time have Il most formidable fleet on the bor-
der lakes.
''As for boats ge ng through the Wcland
Canal, two coal or ore laden schooners sunk
there. ns they could be easily would put II
stop to traffic for Il long Time.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28

in the evening and try to get their bearings.
Pres. Cleveland in his message asked con-
gress to remain in session instead Of taking
the usual Christmas holiday recess, and de-
wise some means TO protect the gold reserve.
Earlier in the day the cabinet had con-
si!cred the financial situation. Secretary
Carlisle had been advised that heavy raids
would be made upon the gold reserve and
that Wall street was in an extreme panicky
condition. 1t WAS feared that gold would go
to premium. The anticipated gold ship
ments would leave the reserve under $40, 900, =
900. and with England feeling nervous over
war talk, not only would our securities come
back by the ship load, which would mean u
further drain of gold. but it would be impos-
sible to float another gold loan by an inter-
national agreement. rs the last loan was
placed and without the aid OF Lombard
street the hands of Wall street would be tied.
All these considerations influenced the
president in making another appeal to con-
gress. He pointed out in his message that
the situation was not only "caused by our
dangerous and tatuitous financial opera
tions, but that the crisis was intensified be-
cause Of our foreign policy and he hoped
that with congress in its present patriotic
frenzy it would be all the more willing to
quickly respond to his suggestions.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
INVOLVES S4,000,OO0.
Ti.lr to Every Foot of Town In New
Mexico in Litigation,

WASHING ION. ID. G.. Do. II Chief JUS
tee Bingham ot the district supreme court de-
livcrcI an opinion involving the ii le to every
foot Of land in the town of Las Vegas. y.
VI the pr pcrty OF the town and 10000 citi-
zcns. valued in the aggregate at si.O0O,oJo.
lu tice Bingham confirmed the tie OF the
ompiainaut. ana reversed an opinion rem
drrrd by Hon. John W. Noble IA secretary of
the interior.
A bill IN equity WIS filed in February last
in behalf of jefferson Reynolds. the town of
Las Vegas and others, to enjoiu the secretary
OF the interior from executing an order for
Il rcsurvey of the land i'll question. amount
ing To 1876, 4i6 acres. under which order BY
the sccreiarv's construction OF the law. all
but about 600 acres was sought to be restored
to the public domain.
Justice Bingham held that the entire tract
belongs to Las Vegas aud IT. people. aud that
they have a per rct title conferred by con-
gre-S an that in issuing his order TO have il
restored To the public domain See. Noble vio-
lated the law aud the rights of the pcop Z.
lie ordered that an injunction should issue as
petitioned for.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28
ANOTHER MESSAGE.
Venezuelan Question Oversha,iowed
by Financial PrOblem.

WASHING Ton, ID. c., Dec. 24-Excite-
mrut in Washington runs high. = esdent
tleveants latest stroke Is the sending oi
the tlnancal message TO congress and has for
the time be ny swept congress of its feet and
the leaders of both parties in the Hous, rs
wei II in the Senac. do not know where
they stand or what the next "A hours may
bring forth.
During the last tfour DAYS Washington has
been in Il whirl Of eXctcm mt and the talk
of war and patriotism with which the air has
been charged has reminded one Of the stir
ring days of thirty odd years ago. /
After the Senate had passed the house Ven-
ezuela commission bill. they took up the
house recess resolution. and after amending
it so rs to make the recess expire on Jan. 8,
was about ready to adjourn when word was
telephOned from the white house that the
president hal an important message to
com nunicatc to congress and requested the
Senate to remain in session for its reception,
tho House having adjourned some hours be-
fore.
Tho few senators who knew Of the tele-
phone message from the white house were
surprise at such an unusual communication II
from the executive.
The reading Of the president message was
received with almost abSo ute silence. As
soon rs the secretary had finished u motion
was made to adjourn and at once the sena-
tors left the capitol to meet one another later
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-28

tests. believe that three of these pneumatic
guns placed ut Sandy Hook would be able to
destroy any hostile fleet attempting to enter
the lower bay. With six of them in position,
M vessel could reach Coney Island.
A pound she'll can be thrown mile
and Il half, 200 pound RS have II range Of
two and II quarter miles: the 10O.pounders
can be thrown three miles, and the 80 pound
ers from three to four miles. 1t should be
remembered that the deep channel to New
York harbor runs close to Sandy Hook Point.
so that vessels Of heavy draft will be com
PEELED to come within half mile of the
shore. The eastern channel. which is suit-
able for light draft vessels, lies three miles
from Sandy Hook 80 that such vessels would
be exposed to over 50-pound shells, filled
with the most destructive explosive known to
modern engineering.