The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-04 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 5, 1866.

THI PRUSSIAN VICTORY.

Regarding the battle of Tuesday as a decisive
blow and a disaster to Austria which cannot be exceeded
in extent, the Times urges Austria to now provide for
the safety of the state by coming to terms. King
William of Prussia is in the camp, and the Emperor
Francis Joseph is not very far from Benedek's head-
quarters. Let there be at Pardubitz, or at
Gamuts, such an interview as there was after
Austerlitz and after Solferino. Better terms than
Austria may obtain now will certainly not be granted to
her after two or three months' protracted struggle has
added to the exasperation of hostile passions, nor after
many more thousands of Austria's noblest sons lie deep in
their blood on the battlefield. On what conditions the
two great German powers could come to agreement at the
present moment it would be difficult to say, and it would
be unnecessary. All that is required of Austria is that
she should sue fora suspension of hostilities, which there
is little doubt would be readily granted. From an armi-
dice to a peace, the Emperor Francis Joseph knows by
experience there is but one step in a tett-a-tete between
two monarchs.

A glance at the map, observes the Daily New, will
show that as a result of this battle the Austrians have lost
the whole of Bohemia, excepting only their line of retreat.
If this be correct, it follows that the Prussians, notwith-
standing their losses, are still able to follow up their suc-
cess, while it should seem that the Austrian army has
abandoned all hope of maintaining its communications
with Prague, and is content to seek refuge at Olmutz or
Bruno, or it may be under the walls of Vienna. From
what quarter can reinforcements be now obtained?
Troops coming from Venetia must now make a detour of
many hundred miles through Vienna in order to reach the
camp of Benedek, while the Prussians will be able to call
in all their scattered corps and to pour down with over-
whelming fury on the flying fragments of what was lately
the great Austrian army of the north. Nor is this all.
For the result of their occupation of Pardubita must be to
out off all communication between the Austrians and the
federal army in the west. The Prussians perceived their
vantage ground, nor is it probable that they will relax
their grip upon the army of Benedek until it has either
crumbled to pieces, or until the Emperor its master sues
for peace.
The Poet, in common, we may remark, with the rest of
the journals, points out the enormous advantages which
have been given to the Prussians over their adversaries by
the precision of the needle-gun, and the Pod refers to a
rumour that it was the consciousness of the immense supe-
riority of this weapon that decided Count Bismarck to brave
the enmity of all Germany.
The Telegraph thinks it premature to discuss the pos-
sibility of an early peace. The success which has attended
the Imperial arms in Italy throughout, and which receives
• fresh illustration in a repulse of the volunteer force
under Garibaldi himself, is so far an encouragement to
persevere. It counterbalances, however imperfectly, the
long train of disasters in the north, and will, we may rest
assured, be welcomed soeordingly. The Western Powers
may effectively intervene at a certain stage of the contest,
with an appeal to Prussian moderation and Austrian good
sense ; but that stage is not yet in sight.
The Star imagines that no attempt will be made to de-
fend Prague, but that Benedek will concentrate his efforts
on the task of protecting Vienna. It is chimerical to
fancy that after one great defeat Austria is likely to suc-
cumb. Peace has yet to be bought by long sacrifices, and
at a heavy price.
No one can tell, the Standard says, what will be the imme-
diate issue of this defeat. Austriahas a wonderful tenacity,
and the spirit of her court and people is not easily subdued.
She may brave everything rather than submit without a
further struggle. She may make peace. Prussia has not
come out of the contest so cheaply but that she would be
content with moderate terms ; nor is she very likely to
consider the claims of Italy worth the ruin of Austria if
she be onoe secure of all she began the war for.