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

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 vet 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, who
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 thesis. 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
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