The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-18
The Late st News from tho Seat or Wharf.-The
Austrian Army in Awkward Position.


Austrian Army in an AwE ward Position.
johns, which we publish in another column, we
have the important intelligence from the seat of
war that the AustIians had crossed the river Pc
at Gambia, and at the village of Pc in small
numbers, and had pushed their vanguard as far
as Sale These are new troops with whom
it was evidently intended to march on
the fort Of Alessandria, the points Of
crossing being low down on sthe river
ard opposite the Sandman stronghold II is
also stated that the divisions reported on the
left bank higher up that France were threat
ening passage at that point, with view no
doubt, of attacking Turin; but the swelling of
the river by the rain defeated their purpose
The low ground was flooded with water. Thus,
when everybody expected the news of battle
and that the Austrian eagle would have pounced
upon the prey before the French troops came to
the rescue, we ind that nothing is done, aud
that the Austrian army, though seven days on
Sandman soil, had only advanced thirty-fiye
miles thus losing the very opportunity for sake Of
which it had placed itself in a wrong position
before all Europe, in sending sudden challenge
to Sardinia and crossing her boundary before she
had time to prepare to defend herself. Whereas
the Sandman aud French troops are now posted
to The. very best advantage, having all their po-
sitions connected with each other by railroad,
and with the two bases of operations the passes
of the Alps open to France, and the port of
Genoa open by sea.
Even the London TGmes-the jealous friend of
Austria, which had been Boosting of her strate-
getical superiority, and that she would eat Sar-
DINA up before France could possibly save her
admits that the position Of the Austrian army is
now extremely awkward, that it has thrown
away its chance, and that the advantage lies de-
cidedly with the enemy, unless that the Aus
TRANS have the power of levying forced contri-
buttons from the Piedmontese-a mere tempo
rary advantage, which is of very doubtful
nature, considering that it will exasperate the
people and give theslie to Austria's promise of
protection to them; besides that, it is game at
which both sides can play, and that French
ships of war can soon make matters even in the
Austrian ports Of the Adriatic.
The tardy movements and vascillation of the
Austrians have not been accounted for. But the
cause Of all the fatering appears to us to be per
fectly plain, and that is, the revolt of Tuscany
and Parma This blow staggered the purpose
of Austria che hesitated, and like woman who
hesitates and loses her virtue, she lost the van
tage ground and whatever chances of success
we're in her favor. We had expected she might
possibly win the first battle, but the whole aspect
Of The battle field is changed. A large portion Of
her army now stands in imminent danger or be-
ing cut off from its base Of operations. The Sar-
dinians have gradually drawn it into the heart of
their country, and not without evident misgiv-
ings it is now moving slowly but surely into
trap, out of which it may never be able to es-
cape.