The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-27
Little Probability that the Disastrous
Movement of 1866 VIII BE Re-
peated by Irishmen.
PAUNCEF0TE NOT ALARMED
HAS MADE NO PROTEST TO UNITED
STATES AUTHORITIES.
Matter Discussed with Secretary Hay
I'm Connection with the Enlist
ments for the Boer Army.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The alleged at
tempts in different parts of the country 10
organize Fenians for a raid into Canada
has not yet been drawn to the attention of
the State Department, and nothing is
known on the subject beyond the matters
set out in the newspaper publications. The
officials do not give the smallest credence
to the stories and are of opinion that the
purpose In setting them afioat is to frighten
the Canadians into keeping their soldiers
at home instead of answering the appeal
Of Great Britain for volunteers for the At
rican campaign
Lord Pauncefote, the British ambassa-
dor is too we'll experienced in American
methods to make this the matter for orti-
cial representations at this stage, and, in
deed, it is said at the State Department
that he has not even found IL necessary
to demonstrate against the alleged viola
tion Of neutrality involved in the recruiting
of soldiers for the Boer army within the
limits Of the United States II Is expected
the explanation for this attitude is pref
erenee the part OF the British to deal
with such persons as may enlist here for
the Boer army after they leave the bound
aries OF the United States. And IL is not
doubted that all of these movements that
really promise TO amount TO anything are
being carefully watched with view TO
catching the volunteers at some convenient
point by fleet cruiser.
Although. as stated. Lord Pauncefote has
made no protest to the Authorities here
relative to the alleged Fenian and pro-
Boer movements. these matters were SUBJ
jects for discussion between Secretary Hay
and the ambassador this afternoon. The
only attention which the embassy is CIV
ing to these reports is TO keep advised
through the British consuls at various
points as to any movements OF Importance.
Thus far, however. nothing has come to
the consuls to indicate that any of the
movements was more than local and
trifing. All of the advices show there has
been nothing in the way of general organi-
zation. AS is usually the case in times OF
war, the British officials receive many let
ters offering to disclose secret movements
or to sell balloons, explosives and various
other novel war inventions. But as most
of these are anonymous they receive no
attention.
Should it turn out that a Fenian move
ment of the kind alleged to exist is actual
ly discovered and brought to the attention
Of the United States government, sharp
and prompt repressive action will be taken.
not only to prevent the violation of ths
neutrality laws, but also to save the raid
ers themselves from such consequences Of
their actions as befell the unfortunate Fe-
nian raiders of 1866.
The talk Of a Fenian raid is well calcu-
lated to cause alarm on the Canadian side
of the border. the people of that sec
tion were greatly agitated during the for
mer Fenian excitement. Although AN
actual movement occurred at that time.
the chief trouble was caused by alarming
reports of invasions which never took
place. Something OF a panic took possess
sion of the Canadians on the border. and
many women buried their household silver
and valuables the small islands OF the
border rivers, fearing that the Fcnians
were about to loot the towns. On rhe
American side the excitement was intensi-
fled by local Fenian organizations which
drilled in apparent anticipation of = move
ment, although these proved TO be purely
local bodies. more or less sympathizing
with the movement, but wholly without
systematic connection with the head oIgaa-
ization.