Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-11
A PROPOSED RAID
Canada May Be Invaded in the
Spring.
PLANS OF IRISH ORGANIZATIONS
Old Feuds in the Different Socie-
= ties Now Healed.
VIEWS FROM THE INSIDE
'LANS OF IRISH ORGANIZATIONS
VIEWS FROM THE INSIDE

OllOWlilS up the recent reports Ul III
tended "Fenian raids into Canada, re-
ports which assumed even detailed propo-
sitions your correspondent has had
interesting talk with gentleman in re-
gard to the activity of the Irish resi-
dents of this country in the direction of
reviving their attempt to invade Canada.
The gentleman, who must be nameless in
this connection, is a military man, who
has served with distinction in the civil
war, who stands high in the councils of
the Clan-na-Gael and who is suspected of
being one of its military chiefs. The trend
Of the conversation seemed to leave no
doubt that there is a serious movement on
foot among Irlsh-Americans for the in
vaSion of Canada. The gentleman referred
to says emphatically that the Irish were
never more serious or determined in their
history, recognizing to the fullest extent
that at last has come that difficulty to
England which has been longed for ever
since the Irish troops sailed away from
Limerick to shed their blood in the service
of France, Austria, Germany and SPAIN
on every battlefield of Europe.
The first capture of British troops by
the Beers it is said. was effected by a
wing of the Irish Brigade, comma nded by
a young Irishman from Mayo Major John
Mcbride, who is now idoliZed by his numer-
Gus friends in this city. The major, then
a quiet medical student in Dublin, paid a
visit to this country little more than
three years ago, when he attended an Irish
convention in Chicago. JONES' who is
called by the Irish the spy" is said to
have seen him there, and when he returned
to Ireland it is said that life was made
so unbearabe for him through the atten-
lions of British sleuths that he quit the
country and went to the Transvaal.
Sought Chance to Fight.
He went there, like hundreds of other
young 1rishmen, because he believed that
there sooner than anywhere else he would
be given. through England's designs on
the South African republic, an opportunity
to strike blow at the old enemy. SO men
who know Mcbride best say Irishmen
mere are said to have resolved that not
only must they not miss the opportunity
of getting in their blows, but they must
be ready to fling the flag of Irish indie
pendence to the breeze. The leaders say
that Ireland must be in the field for her
rights II she is not prepared to sink with
England. An Independent Canada within
six days steam of the Galway coast is
considered necessity of Ireland's indie
pendence. With Irishmen predominating
In the government of Independent Canada
1t would be magnificent base of supplies
But anxious as the Irishmen are to secure
canada, they say they are not prepared to
begin a campaign in the face of the Cana
dian winter. Not that the rank and file
would not be willing to endure any hard
ships. but the leaders, more especially the
military men who have seen service, are
unwilling to make a needless sacrifice of
life. For this reason it is stated that it
has been decided that there shall be no
attempt made to invade Canada before the
break up Of the winter. Meanwhile, how
ever, the work of perfecting arrangements
Will be pushed ahead and every precaution
taken against failure. 1t is asserted that
there will be nothing done rashly or in
the spirit of men flushed with victory as
was the case with the last invasion, nor
will mere civilians be allowed the direct
ing OF affairs. Jealousy and the vanity
and pr1gg1shness of the non-sOlders at
headquarters are blamed by the Irish for
the failure in 1866. and that other failure
at Campo Bello. There We're two factions
then or more, as there have ever been in
the history Of Irish organizations revo-
lutionary and otherwise, but now it is said
all is harmony.
Factions in A. o. II. Reunited
The Ancient Order of Hibernians reunited
a year or two ago, after two wings of the
organization had spent years in bitter hos
ulity over the question whether they should
have their signs and passwords sent from
the other side Of the Atlantic or substitute
those supplied by the American Directory
The Clan-na-Gael, which was built up IN
the ruins of the Fenian Brotherhood one
OF the first Of its builders being Jerome
Collins, who persisted in the Greedy expedi-
ton, has been split into two factions ever
since the Cronin affair. Recently they have
become partially reunited, or rather as well
as can be expected, until they hold a Joint
convention. The reuniting. it is claimed
was brought about by a desire to make use
of the opportunity now believed to be of
fered by Englands difficulty in the Trans
wall The Clan-na-Gael and the Gamma
Gael only. it is asserted, has the present in
VaSion movement in hand and all other Irish
organizations are declared mere voluntary
auxlliaries The Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans is merely a benevolent organization
whose funds are devoted more to church ,
purposes than anything else, but its young
er members, as rule. are said to belong to
the Clan-na-Gael, and when it comes to a
question of aiding a revolutionary move
ment, the younger or Clan-na-Gael element
will have its way The Clan-na-Gaels unit
ed form a powerful organization of young
and brainy men 1t is said that there is
scarcely corner of the country in which
there is not Clan-na-Gael camp or club
composed Of the flower of Irish-American
manhood, young, active intelligent men,
who can be depended upon in any emer-
gency. They are, 1t is claimed trained to
arms either in Independent military com
panies or in the militia, and it is asserted
that many of the very finest National
Guard regiments in the country are made
up almost exclusively of Clan-na-Gael men
Besides, it is said. there is not a post of
the regular army in which there is not a
camp, and camps are even aboard Uncle
Sans ships among the jackies and the
marines.
Strength the of CIan-na-Gael.
The Clan-na-Gael, 1t is therefore argued,
can put several army corps in the field
with little delay-fghters every man of
them whether they come from the cities
or the plains, whether they are soldiers or
cowboys, and as a rule well versed in every
arm of military service. 1t is asserted that
one would not have to leave Washington
to find some magnificent soldiers of the
Clan-na-Gae.
The man referred to at the beginning of
this dispatch was asked what he thought
of the prospects for the success of the pro-
jected invasion. He replied:
II can assure you there will be no failure
when we set out at the break of the Cana
dian winter. We are not going to fight the
SHOWS. There is no hurry. If the war in
South Africa is over before May the British
army will have been captured. If not. then
the British will be nearer the Transvaal
than now, unless the Beers keep giving
way gradually to draw the enemy clean
into the trap. Even should the English
win victory after victory, which is not
likely 1t must not be forgotten that all the
way to Pretoria it is line after line of
mountains or hills, in every one of which