The National Register. — London, England, 1808-08-07 00:00:00

' o‘. ' • W . ~'~ I r THE NATIONAL REGISTER. * Oa Ming, gonaitution, ant) SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 1808. No. 32. POLITICAL DISQUISITION. NUMBER THIRTY - TWO. .......miim..-.. ARE THE FORMEIt DISASTERS OF AUSTRIA. TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO TILE INCOMPETENCY OF HER GENERALS? As a War between Austria and France appears to be un avoidable, it would not be uninteresting to turn back to the last and preceding campaigns, and attempt to discover the cause of the unvarying ill success of the former—a State always remarkable for military entcrprize and ex perience. We are particularly interested in this examina tion. During nineteen eventful years, Austria, though uniformly unfortunate, has been uniformly respectable ; and whilst we turn with disgust from a retrospective view of the conduct of Russia, Prussia, and the other States of the Continent, her fidelity to her engagements, her efforts in the common cause, her dignity in misfortune, her in variable attachment to this country, must render her an object of our peculiar esteem and interest. The first disasters of Austria, and of the allies in general, should be attributed to a false appreciation of the French Revolution. She had the misfortune to recollect, that insurrections, apparently alike, both in Holland and Bra bant, had been easily suppressed, and therefore concluded that the French would not oppose greater resistance. This supposition, though false, was by no means injudicious. Who could have possibly imagined at that time, that such discordant parts, as composed the French Revolution, could be brought by any political process to unite. She therefore thought it a favourable opportunity to weaken that dangerous power, which, for two centuries, had been the principal object of her jealousy and alarm. But let us pass over that time, and hasten to subsequent events as more relative to the object of our disquisition. History teaches us when the same moral causes operate on men, that the choice of a coMmander has a decided in tluence on the issue of a campaign. We have seen this observation verified by the two last wars between Austria and France. The moral advantages were equally great on both sides ; because the French had lost every trace of the enthusiasm, which made them do such wonders in the be- 1 ginning of their Revolution, and they were obliged to rely ' solely on the physical resources of the State, and the su perior skill of their Generals. What was the consequence? As long as Suwarrow was opposed to them, they were al ways heat ; and they lost in a very few months the fruits of all their former exertions and victories in Italy. The fatal spirit of division, which afterwards manifested itself in the camp of the allies, the recal of Suwarrow, and the return of Bonaparte from Egypt, gave them back, how ever, in a still shorter time than they were losing them, all their former conquests. The same cause produced the same events in the last war. Mack, recommended by in trigue, and supported by the personal friendship of the nmperor, commanded at Ulm ; and, in less than three weeks, the finest army in Europe was d4stroyod, and the No. X XXII.--ret. I. PRICE capital opened its gates to the enemy. But the Austrians sewn at last to be instructed by dearly-boughl e.T v et leaces They now must be convinced that the discipline of theft army, that every advantage they may derive from moral causes in this extraordinary crisis of Weir affairs, that tild military spirit of the nobility, and the experience of so many years are all unavailing without a tleneral, w h o is recommended by his services, and not by birth ore patronage. Happily for the Austrian Cabinet and pen. ple, they seem to be aware of this important truth and they confidently look forward to a man, who, though a prince, deserves this mark of national confidence. The Arch-Duke Charles had constantly to labour against ( rt ' intrigue, petticoat influence, the rapacity of that se'arin of plunderers who fatten on the army and the public. lie had nothing to recommend him but his services, his patriotism, and his integrity. No man had greater ohsiactes to en counter, or was exposed to more disgasts. - Though most distinguished officer, an honest man, sari patriotic citizen—though he possessed the highest. confnleece of the army, he was never entrusted with the principal cutirna , d, till the empire was brought to the verge of destruct the imbecility and cowardice of men, who were thrust into command by Court intrigue or favour. But what was the consequence ? As soon as the chief commaed d;:solved on him; as soon as the disasters of the State gave him fall li berty to act, Bonaparte, who knew to appreciate his ta• lents, always hastened to conclude a peace. We acknowe ledge we have been induced to choose this subject 114 the object of our disquisition, in order to counteract the fatal effects which may result to this country from a simlar cause. An unexpected. event has changed the face of Eu. rope. We have had no direct influence on this change.. It is the effect of one of those extraordinary circumstances which sometimes happen, but cannot Ire exactly foreseen. If we would render ourselves worthy this unexpei fed good fortune, we must make a proper use of it. There has been a mistaken notion entertained ahnost unisersally, or, at least published lutist:l-sally, that we are ass sting; only the Spaniards, that all thesi s . vast armaments are mad:, exclusively for their advantage. This is very flue sentiment; and we sincerely esteem the good nature of those persons, though we do not admire their penetration or jud4ment, who think in this manner. lloa ever it is necessary to dissipate this generoos delusion we are not assisting the Spaniards exclusively ; we are assisting our selves, and more efficaciously than the most ardent wells wisher of his country would have dared expect, about three months ago. Nothing is more dangerous to a people than prejudices supported by generous principles ; they are al ways attended with disadvantages, and the sooner they are dissipated the better. We owe this candid declaration like wise to the brave and gen?.rous who have espoused the honourable cause we are engaged in oursli es. If there ever existed a peopl.3. l;ho sleserved to be treated with, candour, and the mest distinguished marks of e,aeein, the Spaniards have the most undoubted claims to this dis tinction. Thcie priseut molarailded exertieLs routributo • • . . 1 i 1 .r 1 J 4 [ c i A , .(1 . . 7 ' lel . 1 I 'i .