The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-12 00:00:00

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PARLIAMENTARY NOTICES, 1866.

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LONDON, MONDAY, NOV. 12, 1866.

It seems as if the Austrians were determined to
profit by the lessons they have received during the
last summer, and those who think the empire is
crushed beyond bOyond hope of recovery may after
all find themselves mistaken in the long run.
Whatever other faults they have, the Austrians are
not wanting in fortitude, and where more volatile
nations would despair they often contrive to re-
cover themselves in a surprising manner. It can
hardly be a matter of doubt in the minds of those
who have studied the events of the late campaign
that there is great need of Reform in the Austrian

army ; and hence it is satisfactory to find that some
decided measures are to be adopted for this pur-
pose. The official Ahendpost has published a very
important scheme of Austrian army reform, which
seems to present very wise suggestions, and, indeed,
(roes much further than might have been expected.
It commences by stating that since the great mis-
fortunes that befell their army in the northern
theatre of war, great care has been bestowed by the
supreme authorities in order that they may find out
what was the cause of the said lamentable occur-
rences. " Public opinion justly desires a paci-
fying explanation of this burning question," and
therefore it has been the object of the investigators
to go deeply into the matter, and not rest content
with the discovery of surface errors, but to trace
out primary causes. In doing so they have recog-
nised " deeply-lying evils," and are now firmly re-
solved to remove them entirely for the future. Pur-
suant to these laudable determinations, various
schemes have been set on foot, and they are here re-
capitulated in an impressive manner. In the first
place, it is truly stated that all Great Powers must
make progressive efforts if they would keep pace
with the spirit of the times, and hence Austria must
not lag behind the others unless she is prepared to
forfeit her claim among the nations of Europe.
This has been so repeatedly expressed by far-sighted
observers that it is reassuring to find its force has
penetrated to those most immediately concerned ;
and in the realisation of its justice lies the only
sure hope of the empire recovering itself from the
overwhelming blow it has received. It is one great
step in the way of improvement for people to dis-
cover their errors and acknowledge them, and after
the perusal of this official document it cannot be
said that any hesitation prevails on this score in
Vienna. If, as was more than hinted, we might
attribute the decided failure of the troops of the
EMPEROR to the fact that too much reliance was
placed on the rules of the old regime at headquarters,
it would seem as if they had awaked from their
dream, and were now resolved to walk by the new
lights that the discovery of science and the practice
of experienced judges have recommended.
Of course the difficulties that are always in the
way of such arrangements are greatly increased in
this instance by the very critical condition of the
finances, but then there is the great advantage of
the EMPEROR being free to look after its own in-
terests, without the weighty care attendant on it
hitherto. The power of concentration this afforded
will in a great degree compensate for the heavy
sacrifices alluded to in this document, and we have
no doubt that if the advisers of the EMPEROR had
counselled him to relinquish Venetia at an earlier
period the results of the war would have
been very different, and at any rate Austria
would be in a very much better position in respect
to Germany to what she is now. The chief object
that these reformers have in view is to change the
present military system in so opportune a way that
as " many efficient persons capable of bearing arms
as possible may be procured and satisfactorily
trained to military service, and that they may be
organised and equipped properly without overbur-
dening the Treasury." General defence, now a
" dead letter," must be reorganised as a paramount
duty, and all arrangements relate to that important
end so far as it can be practically done. In order
that iu time of war the army may come on the field
in suitable style to match other Powers, it is impe-
ratively necessary that every possible limitation of
exemption should be employed, entire abolition of
the substitute system should take place, and other
similar plans. Like every other practical reform,
it is certain that these salutary changes will pain.-
fully affect many to begin with, and that the cur-
tailment of privileges and forfeiture of indul-
gences will be very unwelcome ; but then it must
be borne in mind that general good should come
before particular advantage in the eyes
of all true patriots, and what is here
advised will in the end turn out to affect all sub-
jects of the empire, for it is a scheme of a national
character and comprehensive kind, such as does not II
often occur, and such as is not likely to be intro-
duced at all, except in cases of great emergency.
Secondary considerations are put aside, and minor
inducements forgotten in the presence of the peril
that environs the country and the loss that threatens
the community.

Perhaps no part of this document is more true
than this significant passage. "We must never
again lag behind other large armies in the matter of
arms. The sad experience of recent months must have
convinced every one that the most speedy supply of
breech-loaders, &c., already commenced, is an
indispensable necessity to the Austrian army."
Who can help reflecting, when they peruse this
emphatic declaration, that it might have been far
otherwise than it is now with the directors of the
Austrian army had the force of this truth appeared
to them last year at this time, or eves if they had
been sufficiently sensible of their deficiencies not to
press on the war as they did, but decidedly come to
some arrangement which would have nut off the
evil day until they were more prepared to meet it ?
The principle of very costly heads of departments
will have to give place to a system based on trust,
and also the retgulations as to fees and administra-
tion will be simplified and made more clear ; and,
besides all these and other schemes that relate to the
material readiness of the army, it is desired by the
highest authorities that the moral interests should
not be neglected. It is well said that the mind is
the most efficient weapon of war "in the army
as everywhere else respect
and the highest
and assistance is due to knowledge, as
the indispensable foundation of ability."
Mili-
tary educational institutes and schools areto
be arranged for the troops, and therefore it is ex-
pected military efficiency will greatly increase and
perfect itself among all divisions. Every sensible
person will see, as it is here remarked, that in order
to effect all 'this a great deal of patience will be re-
quired as well as time and firm will. Perhaps more
of this last than any other requisite will be needed,
but the necessity is so apparent for some decisive
change to be effected that there is no reason
to despair of the final accomplishment of
this :scheme for the reformation of the army
in Austria. It can only be attended with
success if a general co-operation takes place, and if
all ranks and classes will lend themselves to the
great work before them with spirit and energy, and,
what is still harder of accomplishment, with self-
denial and sincerity. It will be a great material
gain to Austria if her army is rendered efficient to
her need, and it will likewise be a great gain to
Europe in keeping the balance of power more equally
adjusted, so that in every respect we hope that suc-
cess will attend this well-considered scheme of
military reform.

Friday, the 9th, was no unimportant day for L
dun. It was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
birth of our popular Heir Apparent, and all loyal
subjects recalled the occasion with cordial good
wishes. It was also the time-honoured day on
which that important functionary whom intelligent
foreigners regard as only second in uthority and
influence to royalty itself entered upon his year of
office. But for neither of these events was the 9th
of Noyember, 1866, especially memorable. In an..