The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-16
The strste getieai Movements Of ths
Austrtans.

From The Losdon Timss, Nay ~.
II may be considered almost certain that
the month OF June will have begun before
any blow Is struck in Italy. Time flies,
even to those who are watching daily for
events, and II IL now q month since the ru-
NOR frat spread that the Austrians were on
the point Of sending an ultmatum to Sar-
DINA. On the Goth OF April the first
French regiments were despatched from
Paris, and before the end Of the month the
Auutrians, with q force variously estimated,
but certainly not falling short Of 10000
men, were over the Ticino, and harI ying the
villages OF Piedmont.
As to the present campaign, II Is impos-
sible TO chronicle progress where there is no
progress. The Austrians occupy the line
Of country on the right, or Piedmontese
bank Of the Ticino. and their left extends
past It's junction with the 20 TO the neigh.
Brotherhood OF Stradella. where the French,
should they succeed In rcvolutionizing Par
ma and Modcna, are likely to strike blow.
The Austriins have, beyond doubt. resolved
on an entirely defensive plan Of warfare !;
indeed, from the very beginning, there was
no other course for them. The seizure OF
Allcssandria, II they could have carried II
by coup de nam, would, no doubt, have
been tinc thing for them bat the place Is
too strong TO he taken except by regular
siege and for that there was not time. As
for remaining permanently in the Sandman
Territory, that is out OF the question, The
Austrians have one OF the best military po-
stions In the world--a position 50 advan-
tageous that IL they allow themselves to be
driven from II, the Prussians will probably
conclude that Germany shield may well
be allowed to hear all the blows il gets
without Germaty's sword attempting to
answer them. But not until the French
aud Sardlnians come upon the lines which
General Gyulai now holds will the Austri-
aus have fair chance in battle The
shortest examination OF the map OF Italy
will show that in the present politica, con-
dItion Of the country II would be madness
in the Austrians to go too far from their
base Of communications. The Tyrol aud
the Territory Of Trieste must supply them
with reinforeeuenis, and II would be fatal
to them to leave the Milanese aud Venetian
territory at the mercy Of an enemy operating
from Spezzia for instance, across the
Duchies. or from the Adratic. OF which the
French have complete command. From
the eastern frontiers Of Italy to the Ticino
Is more than two hundred miles, aud u vast
army, composed even Of the most spirited
and rapidly moving troops, might be uu-
willing to be removed 50 far from the near
est point which could be considered friendly
ground
Every consideration. therefore, leads to u
belief that the Austrians will fight manfuy
within their own territory. That s,owuess
OF mevemsu, which seems inseparable from
the deliberately prepared armies Of the PRES.
eut day, threatens that the attack OF the
French will be as unlike Us possible to the
brilliant dashes Of 1896. A quarter OF a
million OF mcn do not dash easily
The Austrisns, though they will probably
in Another fortnight be inferior Ia forced To
their opponents, will have all the advantages
Of modern science in resisting the attack. and
IL cestainly seems fact most fortunate tor
human race. that modern improvements
render defensive warfare every year more
easy II, then, General Hes or the Empe-
ror Francis Joseph thinks proper to hold
the positions the army occupies, Louis Ma
poleon will have need Of several councils OF
war before attacking great iorce posted in
Q position Il has choss n ior itself, Hut Il is
quite possible that this prudent course will
NO, be acceptable 10 the Austrian lerions.
Nations, like individuals, have their weak.
nesses, and II is quality OF mankind to de-
sire more q reputation for what they do
not possess than Tor that which all the world
attributes TO them. We, ~ impartial spec.
ta,ors and as readers OF Theirs and Jemini,
think the hest plan for German and Savia
troops 10 stand on the defensive, and trust
TO their solidi,y. their excellent organization
and the plans which ,hrc generations Of
engineers have elaborated, rather than throw