New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-05-09
TIE APPROACH OF WAR.

From the London Times, 1pTt ~
Good Friday Of 1859 will be hereafter the epoch Ut
departure whence veterans, now only youthful con-
scripts shall the story Of the great Austrian
war. just look back upon the bloOdsplhng
contest of principles and passions which divided Eu-
rope the lat OF the last century, Just a.
we note the particular points Of difference which grew
and widened and snOldered and famed till the world
was wrapped in the roaring fires and the vision Of oil
men was darkened by the smOke-so, as there 10 too
much to fear will the men of the succeeding
aye an those of State which, winged by swier
agency than our fathers knew are passing momentA-
riy before eyes and deduce how rapidly arose the
great unnecessary war which lasted-what prophet
Shall dare to say how long The solenntes ofthe Holy
Week neglected for the hurryng away Of ar ned men
10 meet others upon al appointed spot Tor slaughter
The festivities OF Easter will possibly be checked by
the cries Of men in conflict, aud by the that
wait upon victory as well "a upon defeat. In our
cure and secluded Island listen only To the echoes OF
instant preparation that now passing like the Fiery
Cross through the other countries Of Europe. The
French army is in full march to the frontiers OF Pied
mont" Gen. Della Marmora telegraphs from the
banks Of the TiciDo, that the Austrian army had
made significant movement on the stIategcsi
line Of the Ticno, and that attack at any moment
nav be apprehended. The Court Of Vienna, 40 late
rs Yesterday reiteates IFS declaration that all other
proposals. must be subordinate TO the summons already
addressed to Sardinia. The imperial manifesto which
is 10 accompany the declaration Of against Sardinia
has already been prepared. Austria, mistress Of the
position is ready by act of State and deed OF war 70
initiate the sanguinary drama upon which the curtain
i. about 10 rise.
How completely few days have changed the posi-
tions Of the parties TO this mighty difference 80 late
Monday last, when Lord Derby from his place In
the House vi Lords directed such bitter remembrance
against the Emperor Of the French, II was believed
that IT was France who was posing the thunderbot,
and that il was from her only that had occasion to
fear lest the sound should aud the fire should fall
But IOw within the last Is hours, Austria has occu
pied the eyes Of Europe, sridng forth the aygres
sOr ard challenger, occupying the arena marked by
,.c f. .n.t ~ .npHic. vxhefh
il prudence, or ia ambition, or IN obdracy, has shown
beIsef ready for the tray even than the Power
which was the origin Of the quarrel France seems 70
have been taken by surprise. Whether 1t was that
the Emperor believed that all he desired would be OBJ
tanned from Ausrias fear-, whether he trusted to-
his fertility in peaceful assurances and 10 the
agency Of the joHteUT 10 delay the conflict TO
convenient season whether he has calculated ill., on
las been neghgently served, it is impossible to
say; but certain il is that Austria has the start, and
France J. strainng N Overtake her. While Aa-.rs Is
maneuvering the TieiDo France IL still only seEdiIs
troops to Dauphiny. While Austria is present =
follow up her decisive menace by an irresistible at
tack, France j. only collecting her defensive leves a.
distance from the position Of her jeopardZed ally.
Austria l.. have SAID at this moment mistress
Of the position. She has army the TcnO before
which II put in motion, the forces Of Sardinia ngf
melt away into the fortresses Of Alessandria and e
nOa, U. must b. hOpelessly scattered. Miracles do
happen undoubtedly now and then; 10000 men have
beaten 9ptU0 men; but sane men do not reckon or
the repetition OF such incidents in the 18th eentnry
and between reguariy-dlsciplned European troops.
IL would be iaDGtca to suggest that Sardinia hold
her for week against the hosts about ~ be l&
Loose upon her. The food Of spoilers will sweep
the land. Turin must be occupied, although probably
nOt held. The power Of the Piedmontese monarchy
viii be shut up in the few fastnesses which Sardinia
contains AID tie real struggle VIII not begin until
Austria has struck blow which will be heard through
out Italy. As beligrrent Power she is wise in her
generations; but che il not wise in her generation
She II seeking unnecessarily 20 become beligerent
Power. If she believed that there was no hope Of
permanent peace, that the French Emperor was re-
solved upon war, and that she was only being KEPT
iainting under the weight Of her arms, waiting till
should suit the convenience Of the Emperor 10 over
whelm her; il she, moreover, is willing at this no
If all offensive policy to make those reasonable re-
fractions which the interests Of humanity and be
public opinion Of Europe require of her, then u WI
be difficult tn ray that she * entirely wrong in having
sought to ptae cri-is in which she WAS o,eedns