The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-02-27
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. 81.

The news received from the East by the Yam
kee, is not especially important, and yet has an
unpleasant warlike aspect. The impression was
gaining ground in San Francisco, that war
would break out soon between England and
America. The tone of the English press. which
is but the response of the public mind, was ex-
tremely loud for war, but on what grounds 1T
is difficult to determine. 1t may be but the
prolonged echo of the popular outburst of indig-
natter. there eaassd BY the &c: Of Capt. wilkes,
hC ably settled, so far as the governments
we : concerned. and the papers and extracts
therefrom coming to hand now, may be only
the expression of the public sentiment before the
settlement.
But looking around for n cause of war, it is
difficult to find any good reason existing, unless
England and France have determined to recog-
nize the Southern Confederacy, by receiving
their Commissioners, regarding which there APP
pears to be much doubt expressed, and an evil
dent inclination to do so, is discoyerable. A re-
c~opnition of the South, will surely cause war
between the powers acknowledging it and the
| United States, whether the former aid the South
as allies or not. Putting the best complexion
on the matter that is possible, a single misstep
or irritating act Of any kind, between the two
nations, may lead to open warfare. Both are
ready, and neither will hesitate one day about
the consequences, which would be equally disas-
trous to either side.
We trust, however, that the war cloud may
pass over without bursting, for its effects would
fall severely on cur group, whose trade is almost
wholly with the ports of the two powers which
would be at war and for the tine 1t lasted,
might be wholly broken up, for although we are
neutrals. trade with blcckaded ports would be
hazardous, if not impossible.
The position of affairs in America does not
appear to have materially changed, and although
the belt around the rebels is strengthening, yet
the Union forces and movements seem to be
advancing too slowly to meet the expectations of
the nation. The programme, however, becomes
more distinct each mail-which is to place them
in strong positions on every side of the rebel
territory. and at the right moment, an advance
of the main army of Mcclellan will be made
through Virginia, to be aided and supported as
it advances by the strong armies now assembling
at various points along the coast. When all is
ready, there will probably be rapid movements,
and terrible warfare, but with what results will
depend on the skill of the generals and the
strength of the rebel forces. We share in the
same impatience which is discernable in all our
American papers, to see an early and vigorous
movement of the army, followed by a success
pointing to the speedy termination of the most
atrocious rebellion that has ever disgraced any
nation. And We trust that its leaders will all
meet the fate which they merit. We do not
believe that a majority of the South are, or
ever have been, on the side Of the rebellion, but
they are kept down by the vigilance and power
of the rebel leaders.