The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 7, Mg.

completely by surprise, and *eke thoroughly and
completely defeated on Saturday, and that with the
severe loss of from 15,000 to 20,000 men killed and
(112 anti from 5,000 to /,000 taken prisoners.
against this the French casualties ate said to
amount to 3,000 killed and wounded—less than a
fifth or that or the Austriatis. They also captured
two flags and three cannon. This does not seem to
indicate that the victory was so decisive as the
French accounts declare. There would, in
such case, have been a larger share of
the spolia opima than has fallen into
the hands of the victors. Flags and cannon are not
easily carried off by a flying army, who are merely
trying to save themselves from the triumphant
pursuers. •

But it also appears that the fight was renewed
on Sunday ; and although we do not give the
slightest credence to the Frankfort telegram,
which announces that the Allies were dri-
ven back cross the Ticino, there seems
to be little doubt that the struggle was still con-
tinuing, and that the Germans were making a fierce
struggle to regain the position they had been
driven from. It is by no means improbable that
Magenta will be the great turning point of the war.
If the Austrians should be as decisively defeated
on Sunday, and possibly Monday, as they were on
Saturday, they may give up any hope of a successful
termination of the war, and make the required
concessions with the best grace possible under the
circumstances. If, however, they should have won
their first triumph, and that, as asserted, the French
should have been driven back across the Ticino,
then they may make better terms ; but the
sooner they conclude a pacific treaty the better
it will be for themselves and the rest of
Europe. The result is certain. They have no
possible chance of eventual success. The Lombardo-
Venetians are galled by the heavy yoke to which
they have so long been subjected, and are ready to
cast it off at the first favourable opportunity.
It is said, by one account from Vienna, that there
is a great movement of the people of Milan, that there
were, in fact, formidable tumults going on in every
portion of the town. Another declares that Milan
is perfectly tranquil ; which of these two state-
ments are we to believe ? We confess that the
former is more like the truth. It is wellknown
that the inhabitants are very discontented with the
Austrian rule, and that they would avail them-
selves of the first chance of casting it off. The con-
test and victory at Magenta would afford the
favourable opportunity, and create an excitement
that would not easily be assuaged.
Besides, if the Austrian troops have withdrawn
from Milan, and left merely a garrison in the
citadel, that would not suffice to keep the insur-
gents quiet, more especially if they were antici-
pating assistance from the Allies, who were
within a short day's march of the city. Magetna
is but twelve miles from Milan, and that
would take but a few hours to pass, and those who
would be regarded as liberators would be cordially
welcomed by the inhabitants ; indeed, it is more
than probable that the capital of Lombardy is
already in the hands of the French, and that they
have received a cordial and hearty welcome on
every side.
It would appear that it was only two divisions
of the Austrian army that were engaged on
Saturday those of 'Count CLAM and Prince
LICHTENSTEIN. They had only recently arrived
from Verona, and marched from Milan the preced-
ing day. It is said that they were mere recruits,
or raw levies, and this would partly account for the
complete thrashing which they received. The
invading army were still watching the French
where they expected an attack. They were,
however, for the time being completely
deceived. It is probable that they came
to the rescue on Sunday, and that the
stubborn contest of that day was fought between
the tried and veteran troops of both parties. We
shall look anxiously for the result, but what-
ever it may be, we earnestly hope and trust
that it may lead to the speedy restora-
tion of peace and the long continued tranquillity
of Europe. Austria must withdraw her haughty
pretensions with regard to Italy, must surrender
the territories which she has so greatly misgoverned,
and Louis NAPOLEON, if he desires the continuance
of the dynasty which he has founded, should
display such an amount of moderation in the hour
of victory as to prove that he is not the firebrand,
disturbing the peace of Europe, and anxious only
for universal conquest and aggression on every
Power on which he can hope to do so with im-
punity.