New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-03-17
CHANCES OF THE IMPENDING WAR.

The most Jealous fnendsO f peace III Europe are De-
ginning to sbandon the last faint hope will
be maintained and in place Of discussing the posi-
bility of pacific settlement they now debate the
chances of success for the future bellgerents. We
may, then be allowed to continue our observations
on TIE military character Of the valley Of the Pc,
ard on The chances ii may offer to the maneuvers
Of French and Sandman and an Austrian army
opposed TO each other.
We have already described the strong position of
tie Austrians on the Mincio and Aige. Let US now
turn to the other side. The Po in its general course
west TO east, makes one considerable bend, flowing
for abou. sixteen miles from northwest to south
esst after which it resumes its eastward direction.
This bend is on S,rdni,n territory, about % miles
from the Austrian frontier. At its northern angle
the Sesa, running southwark from the Alps, at its
southern angle, the Bormida running northward
from the Apennines, join the Pc. Numerous
smaller streams join either Of these rivers near
their junction with the main stream, so that the
country west Of them Offers on the msp, the
spectacle Of vast system Of water courses, su
tending from the amphitheater of mountains sur.
rounding Piedmont on three sides, to one common
center. similar 10 the radii drawn from the peri
pbery of circle TO ts central point. Tais is the
strong defensive position of Piedmont, and il was
well recognized as such by Napoleon; but,
neglected by him as well az by tine Sandman Gov
ernment which succeeded the French dominion, It
was never organized for defense until after the
disasters of lS49. Even then the defensive works
were go slowly ard spsripgly erected that at the
prese nj moment they are incomplete, and works
which ought to have masonry scsrp and counter
scarp are at this moment being constructed as sim
ME field works in order TO De ready for defense in
the Spring.
On Tie Pc about four miles above tie junction
Of the Sess 10 situated Cssale, which has been and
is now being fortified so a. TO form the support of
tie northern or LEFT wing Of the position. At the
Junction Of the Tanaro ard the Bofmida, eight
mice above the junction Of the latter with the Pc,
i. Ae..andri. the strongest fortress in Pi-dnoat,
and Tow being made the central point Of a large
intTeIched camp, co7ering the southern or right
wing of the position. The distance between the
two towns i, sixteen miles, and the Pc runs in
fron. .f the road joining them, at 5 distance Of
about I've or six miles. TIE left wig of an army
camping IN .his position is covered frst By the
Sess, and secordIy by Cssale and tie POI the
rieh. wing is covered by Alessaudsia and by tia
river, Orbs, Bormida, Belbo, and Tanaro. al Of
which form junction clo'e to Alesssodris. The
front i. covered by the bend Of the Pc.
IF Sardinia concentrates her army Of $1,000 TO
90 600 men in this position, she will have some
$1,000 men dispos.ble for sctive operations, and
ready to f.I on tie aasks of say army attempting
to turn the position BY Noyi ard Acqui on the
south, or By Vercelli on the north. Turin may
therefore, be considered Is well covered by this
position, especially az this capital has citadel re-
curing regular siege before il can be taken, aud
no army turning such pOsition could conduct
siege without having fret aislodsed the Piedmon-
tese army from il intrenched camp. Bat the
position Of Csiae and AlessandriA has one weak
point; il las no depth, and its rear is completely
uncovered. The AustrAus, between the Mincio and
Adige, have g square covered BY four fortresses,
ore At each corner; the P.edmontese, on the Pc
srd Boruids. have lioe with two fortresses 1t