The San Francisco call., 1899-12-28
A CANADIAN INVASION.

| 7 is probable that there is only talk in the Fenian
invasion OF Canada. Unless such movement
were under the BOer flag and commission it would
be outside the laws OF and OF nations, and those
engaged in il would have recognition as lawful
combaants and would suffer the extreme penalty if
taken under arms.
Even II II were recognized by the two republics and
under their flag its origin within the United States
could not be permitted, for would be the gravest
breach OF international law that can be committed
This Government could only join England in prevent
ing II by the strictest repression 1t is case in
which antagonism TO the policy OF England and SYM
pathy for the Beers cannot be permitted to so Sc
riously embroil the United States in distant quarrel
II an uprising Canadian SOIL in the first in
stance and soldiers OF fortune choose to take their
lives in their hands by joining it, the risk is theirs
But this country cannot be permitted to become the
drill and supply ground which hostile expeditions
are trained and equipped to make war upon flag
with which are at peace
The OF troubles in which the Spanish war has
involved us came OF harboring a revolutionary junta
in New York and supplying it with means to main
tain revolution against Spain. The men who did
that more than nominal citizens OF the
United States il they were even that and used such
color OF citizenship they had only TO protect them
selves in waging in violation OF the neutral rights
OF Spain.
When men bona-fide accept American citizenship
their first duty to the welfare OF this country
That duty is higher than any ancient national grudge
or inherited hatred they may have brought to our
shores.
We cannot afford an asylum to all the hatreds OF
Europe permit each TO organize war on our soil
against enemies with whom this country is at peace
The law makes il felony for citizen to accept
while within the jurisdiction OF the United States
military commission 10 any foreign Govern
ment against with which we are at peace Ii is
also felony to- for like purpose enlist or procure en-
istment. Foreigners transieny on Our soil are not
included in this. Our law further provides that if any
person shall within the territory or jurisdiction OF
the United States whether citizen or alien begin or
set on loot or prepare provide the for any
military expedition enterprise TO be carried on
from thence against the territory domnions OF any
foreign prince state, of any colony district or
people, with whom the United States are at peace
every person so offending shall be deemed guilty OF
a high misdemeanor and shall be fined not exceeding
three thousand dollars and imprisoned not exceeding
three years
II will be seen then that every feature OF the pro-
posed Canadian adventure is highly obnoxious. not
only to treaties which the supreme law OF the
land. but to our domestic statutes
/ Every citizen. native and naturazed comes within
the scope OF these laws and they apply to aliens who
do these unlawful acts within our Jurisdiction Those
who contemplate this movement, ii such there be
should clearly that instead OF helping the Beers
and hurting Great Britain they will only harm them
selves and hurt the United States If they owe Eng
land grudge, if they patrotcally impelled to
help the Beers through their devotion to republican
principles, there Is only one way to do either Let
them go to South Africa and take their place among
the fighting men of the two republics. right in the
center OF the trouble
! They gain nothing by criminal acts committed
on soil. which primarily against our Govern
ment because in violation OF its laws
In the present tension OF international relations all
the world American citizens owe to themselve,
and their country to obey the law II the reported
movement take shape at all this Government will he
compelled to prevent il by all means in It's power
Military and civil authority will be invoked. costly
military patrol and guard OF the Canadian boundary
will be necessary, and taxpayers will have to bear
the additional burden OF restraining an unlawful enter
prise started by those whose first duty is to this
country and its laws.
Now that young Churchill, the aristocratc war cor