Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-05-19
From the London Times, April %.
THE WAR QUESTION.

Iestefuay lnis klngdom was alternately
soothed and startled by two successive tel
egraphic dispatches which arrived from
Paris and from Turin. We were compell-
ed within the course of the same morning
to hold oft TO the English public prospect
Of almost certain peace, and to Withdraw
that promise, and TO substitute for it the
probability of almost certain war. Lord
Derby, in his explanation on Monday night,
intimated that in the interests OF peace Min
listers had made one other and last sugges-
tion to the powers at difference, and that
upon the acceptance or rejection of that sug.
gestion their present hope, Of peace rested.
The Moniteur of yesterday at once inform
ed us Of the substance of that proposal, and
Of its acceptance. The proposition was to
effect general and simultaneou, disarma-
ment under the supervision Of six Commits
sioners, one Of whom should be Sardini-
an. 1t suggested also that the Congress
sho nd assemble and deliberate cotempora-
neously with the commission, and, follow
ing the example of the Congress of Lay bach,
that the representatives of the Italian States
should have seats in the Congress. To this
suggestion, which appeared reasonable and
practical, France, Russia and Prussia. had
given their adhesion, nor was there any in
timation in the dispatch conveying this in
formation which constrained us 10 believe
that the absence Of the name of Austria
proceeded from any other cause than that
she was. more deliberate in her action than
the other Powers. Close, however, upon
the heels Of this good news, followed the
telegraphic dispatch from Turin, stating that
the English proposal for a Congress had
been refused, and that the Austrian General
commanding in LomSardy had been order
ed to present an uliiinatl.m demanding I'M
mediate disarmament, with the alternative
Of war after the lapse Of three days from the
delivery Of this uItimatum. The knowl-
edge Of less decisive, but consistent, cotem-
porary facts was added. A reinforcement
Of SO, 900 men had been ordered TO the Aus
trian army now on the banks of the Ticino,
Prussia has mObilized three corps d'drmse,
consisting of some 10000 men. Every act
notified was a preparation for immediate
war on the part of Austria; every movement
was directed either 10 aggressive operations
upon Sardinia, or to the defence of her own
German provinces. ..-..
Such is now the state Of affairs. Austria
has 100000 men either upon the Ticino or
within such distance that they can be plao-
ed upon the banks of that frontier river
within three days of grace fixed in the i'm.
pera,ive demand Of the Austrian General.
Sardinia occupies the opposite bank, with
force which could not probably delay, for
one day, its own destruction by that gigan-
Tic enemy. 1t may be that Sardinia can
show 10000 men in arms, including her
free corps, gathered from all parts of Italy,
and comprehending no small portion of the
discontented spirits who have passed their
lives in making manifestations of hatred to
the foreigner. Of the 10000 perhaps, af-
ter garrisoning her great foriresses, Aless-
andria and Genoa, she may be able 10 range
10000 men in line of battle. Three days
Of respite are oil that is given. Ii, as we
read the telegram, the demand has been al
ready made, next Sunday may see an Aus.
trian army in quick advance upon Turin.
The position of Sardinia is perilous, but il
is position from which she cannot escape
by tame compliance. Even if Victor
Emanuel could accept the ignominy of sue
cumbirg to the first pressure of force after
putting forth such bold defances. the men
be has called around him would not suffer
him TO retreat. If Aurtria and Sardinia are
left to themselves, we shall hear in a few
days Of an invasion and battle. Every
thing points this out as a natural. conse-
quence. The sudden ultimatum and the
short reprieve are evidently part Of q well
considered military policy formed by Aus
tria. tits clearly her interest, if she is re-
solved upon war, or il she feels that she
will be compelled to accept war, to crush
the Sardinian army before the French can
arrive to its assistance. The march from
the banks Of the Ticino to Turin is through
plain country, unprotected BY any place
of military strength, well known by opera
tions in recent campaign, and offering ev-
cry facility for the advance Of great army.
Three days would bring the Austrian Gen.
sral to The unprotected oity Of Turin.
There is nothing between the frontier
and the capital but the arms and bodies Of
those 10000 Sandman troops, who are SO
vastly ouinumbered. by the Austrian hosts.
To crush that army, to effect by force the