The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-04-02
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
MARCH &c.
Foreign News.

The most interesting item from America, anu
that which gives promise of great Importance
in the conduct of the war, is the appointment of
General Grant to be General of the
National Forces. The nature of this new Office
is probably as yet not fully defined. The Presk
dent is the Constitutions Commander-in-Chief.
A Lieutenant-G General acts for, or in other words,
performs the duties which by law belong to the
COMMUNICATIVE Chief. Gen. Halleck now be-
comes an Aid of Gen. Grant, and of course ranks
below him.
One great obstacle TO the success of the na-
tional cause has been the want of unity OF ac-
ton in the various armies which encircle the
rebel territory. Mcclellan was appointed in 1861
to remedy this defect, but when it was found that
he was required in the field. Halleck was desig-
mated to act in his place. But these appoint
ments clashed, and continual disputes and jeal-
ousies have been the result. If Grant has the
frmness TO take the responsibility and the genius
to plan and conduct the war, his appointment
will prove a fortunate step.
1t is stated among the latest kilograms that
Grant has said that it is of no use to try to ope-
rate in other sections till Richmond is taken.
Others have thought so for a long time but how
is il 10 be done-there's the rub. If he succeeds
in doing what a score OF generals have tried and
failed in, he will show that he merits the chaplet
of honor with which the American people have
just rewarded him. 1t is stated that Gen. Kill
patrick's cavalry, in the raid around Lees army,
went within three miles of Richmond. He had
only about 4 900 troops, but had they been sup
ported by sufficient infantry, it would appear
that Richmond might have been stormed and
perhaps captured, or at least the Union prisoners
might have been released. This is proved by
the fact that the prisoners are being removed to
Georgia for safer keeping.
The return of Gen. Sherman to Vicksburg does
not appear to have been a ~repulse, as he had no
engagement with the enemy, but it
was caused by his plans for a junction with the
cavalry forces of Grierson having been defeated.
Had they succeeded in uniting, it is quite proba-
bic that Mobile would have been their destina-
ton. As it Is, the expedition so efectually de-
the railroads as to render it next to i'm
for the rebels to procure supplies west of
the State of Alabama, thus still further contract
ing their limits and Gripping their resources.
In other quarters, the events that have trans
pred may be briefly con-
tinued TO be bombarded, with what effect, the
rebel papers do not state. The Union forces sent
to Florida had been repulsed with loss, and driven
back TO jacksonville, a seaport town. The rebels
are making strong efforts TO regain possession of
their lost territory in North Carolina, and some
hard fighting is evidently going on there now.
The rebel Gen. Longstreet had been compelled to
retreat from the vicinity of Knoxville, and is sup
posed to have rejoined Lees army. Admiral
Farragut was at work bombarding the forts at
entrance of Mobile harbor.
The war in Denmark continues, and there have
several engagements, in which the Danish
orces have been compelled to fall back. 1t would
.ppear from the news received that the English
,eople are eager to enter the war as an ally of
Denmark, but they desire France also to join
hem. But Napoleon has hardly forgotten the
answers he received from the various powers
n his European Congress scheme, at which he
to settle all these difficulties without
and now very wisely holds back, and
ooks coolly on as a spectator only. If any cap
tai or glory is to be had, probably Napoleon will
tep forward, join in the dispute, and perhaps put
n end to it.
The news from the pirate craft Alabama places
er at Singapore from the sd to the 18th Of
On the latter day she left that port
ound west, as some reports say, towards Cal
utta. Another letter states that she bought all
he warm clothing obtainable, with the purpose
{ cruising 70 the northward, and was at the
ltest date at Labuan, a small island on the coast
f Borneo, used by the English as q coal depot.
would appear from these advices that she was
t Singapore at the same date she was before re-
orted at Annoy. As the latter report was car
ed to japan simply by a verbal message spoken
two vessels in passing each other, 1t was
incorrect, though she is doubtless
ound for the China seas. She is represented as
eing sadly out of repair. and will seek some
ort where she can reft.
The death Of Rev. T. STARR KING, which oc-
lrred in San Francisco March 4, will touch a
lord in the heart of every American who has ever
ad his patriotic loyal speeches or heard his
I'D voice, raised SO often in behalf of his
'un;ry and the Union cause. During our short
az in San Francisco last summer, we had the
bod fortune TO hear him twice-onee in his own
lurch, and again al a Union meeting in Union
all, which is one of the largest public buildings
that city On the occasion, which was a night
two before the last gubernatorial election, the
III was densely filled with ladies and gentlemen,
7 the simple announcement of his name drew .
ovid anywhere. Mr.. King came late, and Gov
nor Lowe was entertaining the audience with a
litical speech, which seemed rather dull, and
ade the audience somewhat restless. While in
e midst OF MS remarks, Mr.. King quietly
epped on 10 the stage from a side door, and took
: seat back of the speaker, without the latter
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