The Wanganui Chronicle AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. WANGANUI, November 26, 1864

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 456, 26 November 1864, Page 3

The Wanganui Chronicle AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. WANGANUI , November 26, 1864

The news received by this mail is less important or at least less sensational than usual. In America the combatants had changed their position but little and had altered their prospects not at - all during

the few days intervening between: the latest intelligence via ; Sato Francisco and that brought by this mail. The nomination. of McClellan by such a large number of his fellow citizens who do not seem to have properly un ierstood - his opinions regarding the paramount ques tion of peace or war, and the consequent withdrawal of many of his supporters, on, learning the true state of the case, are the most important items, of news. That the re-election of Lincoln ; with all the gubernatorial influence be commands was doubtful is a very strong proof of the general desire in the ..-North, for peace, based upon the conviction that the task they have been labouring at for the last four years is hopeless of accomplishment, and that persistence in it will only be ruinou3. This desire must be growing at each stage of this weary contest, and will not be lessened .even though Lincoln may have been re-elected. The accounts do not say much of disease in Grant’s army although the position gave ground for the expectation that during the months, of; August and September it would be greatly enfeebied and reduced by this destructive agency. The most startling intelligence from England is the statement made by the ‘ Times,’ that had assistance been given to Poland by Great Britain, the Russian nien-of-w’ar cruising on the ■American .Coasts would have been dispatched to sack the principal towns of Australia and New Zealand. This fleet carried about 3 )00 men and besides its own armament of 199 guns would have obtained some of the most destructive ordnance in use in America. Such is the story, and it is not an unlikely one; but it takes for granted that Britain in the event of going to war. would not have made any provision for the safety of her colonies and her maritime commerce ; and it seems also to take for granted that the British naval force alone in these not to speak of the French men-of-war, could have done nothing to check the ravages of the Russian fleet. That fleet might, had such an attack not been anticipated and provided against, have in the first place done a considerable amount of harm ; but ultimately it would have corne to grief. Still the possibility of such a descent upon our coasts shews the necessity of having the principal ports defended by effective batteries, and that a trained force of artillery is more needed in this country than an3 r other. Colonel Warre has recently published a pamphlet of which we have not yet seen a copy, in which we believe he advocates the formation of a. small force of about 2,000 men to be retained out of the regiments at present here, and to be maintained by New Zealand as a standing army to beep the Maories in order. If such a force were trained to the handling of heavy guns, it would be of use also against in vasion ; bnfc we are not aware if Colonel Warre has looked on the subject from that point of view. .A competent commission should no doubt be appointed by the Government to consider and report on what is necessary for this purpose at the various ports, and a considerable sum would be well spent in securing the country against any such marauding incursions