Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-05-26

THE. SEAT OF WAR.

In order to convey to the reader who NAV
desire to follow the movements of the hostile
forces now confronting each other on the banks
of the Pu. comprehensive idea of the theatre
Oi conflict, give the following general topo-
graphical description, which We borrow from
Galignani's Messenger:
Ii fAlessandri4-whish was dismantled by the
Austrians in 1885, when they gave il up to
Piedmont, but which has recently been forti-
fed-were made the basis Of operations of an
invading army against Milan, the army would
have two routes to follow: The first in which
there are number of torrents, up to the Tici-
na. which separates LOmbardy from Piedmont
and the second, the easier one presenting an
obstacle in the PO, which is the southern limit
of Lombardo- Nenitia. Now, Austria which
occupies PIacenEa, the right bank Of that
river has established an intrenehed camp at
that place. Lower down are CremOna, and on
the left bank Mantua, to defend the passage
against AN army which should leave Piacenza
ia its rear. TN the first road to Milan. behind
the TicinG. Is Payia, which seems to have been
lately fortified, in order to be made base of
operations against A,essandria, If besieged On
the north are BergamO and BreScia-str0ng
places, but not impregnable and able to dis
quiet al army passing them to attack Verona
and Mantua. which are the key of the country
This territory the theatre of the campaign
OF 1896, and Austria has accumulated defences
there, in the belief that ia a future war the
same plan If attack would be followed; but
that Is perhaps doubtful.
TN the MinciO. which is only ten leagues
long from the Lake Of GaTpO, in which it rises
tn the marshes which surround Mantua, where
il falls into the PO, and which can be forded in
several places, means of defence have been ac-
cumulated. and PeSehiera and Mantu protect
its two exiremitieS The Adige is in the rear
and flows parallel To- the Po for a certain dis
tanee. 1t Is perpendicular to il behind the
Lake of Gardo from Verona to Leyrano-a
r. l.. n.
fOrded and Its banks. on the side of Verona.
are covered with gardens and vineyards, and
those on the side of Mantua with rice fields
and marshes. The road from Verona to Le-
granO runs between the Adigo and canal;
and an army placed within the square formed
by PeschieTa, Mantua, Verona, and Lcgrano
protected by the water which Is found ON the
east and west. by mountains to the north, and
marshes to the south, Is free in its movements
and can march on any point that may be men
seed. Peschiera. Of which the defences are
somewhat scattered. is the refuge OF the fOtiIla
which, acting on the Lake of Carlo, would
menace n corps d'G,AIfs desiring To cross the
MineiO, and protects the locks which enable
the banks of the lower part of the river TO be
inundated. BY an inundatiOn the hying bridges
constructed by the enemy would be carried
away. Mantla Is like Peschiera. on an island
In the MineiO. surrounded by lake, which
should be drained in order to allow the town
lential marsh which would render the place
uninhabitable. The fortress is reached by
raised eauSeways protected by forts. II i.
very dificul; to take, but can be easily block
AIDED.
As this place appears to Austria too unhealthy
and too far from the fyrol. she has established
her headquarters at Verona and has disbursed
q large sum in fortifying the place. Verona
like all the positions fortified by Austrian en-
gineers, comprises, in addition to numerous
Qualifications. an intrenched camp, capable of
containing an army. 1t is believed that the
fate "f the place will be decided rather by a
battle than by a siege. which latter would
require a vast force. LegnanO is tefe de poHt
fortified by Napoleon. which would enable the
army Of Verona to proceed TO Mlntua as Pes
cbiera on the north would give it an issue on
Ereseia and the northern part of the Milanais
Moreover. al Austrian army, defeated and
obliged 10 remain at Verona. could be relieved
by troops arriving from the Tyrol on the front
and rear Of the besiegers. Tho numerous roads
IN the TyEDl are protected by forts which d
handful Of men would be capable Of defending
against victorious army. If, however, VerOns
were To be taken, the conquest Of Venetia
woulI hot be difficult. As to the Adratic
Austria has taken the precautiOn of protecting
herself against attack on its coast. From
the banks Of the PO To the frontier of Istria the
shores of the Adriatic are very insalubriOus
In some places it Is impossible to pass night
without being attacked by fever. and the sea
il shallow to a considerable distance from the
'as!. Venice. in fact, is the only place which
can receive vessels even Of II secondary size
and they must enter by passes which are pro-
terted by strong forts. If the city were taken.
Fort Malghers would remain. and it cannot be
approached either by land or water. In 1913
the insurgents in the fort resisted the besieging
Austrian army until men and ammunition were
exhausted.
80 S-S------