Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-07-07
Duration Of the War.


We see as yet no satisfactory evidence
that the war in Europe will become gener-
al, or, if the present beligerents are let alone
by the other European powers, will ex-
tend beyond the limits of Italy. Some of
the smaller German States manifest a pas
sionate desire, to rush into this conflict. -
But the Initiative rests with Prussia and her
present inclination is unqucstionably ad-
verse to meddling with the war in its pres
ent phase. England, too, has not a little
influence with Prussia, and will evidently
exert it in the same direction. The change
of her Ministry, and the pledge of the
Coalition leaders ON this subject, as con-
dition precedent to that event, leave no
doubt as to the course of the British Gov
ernment. That pledge in fact, commits
the Government to strict neutrality, even
should Austria itself be invaded Prussia is
pretty sure to keep along side of England.
The minor German States cannot part
company with Prussia. The attitude of
the Russian Emperor who has already con-
centrated force near the Austrian frontier,
and who has notified Prussia that he will
follow any intermeddling on her part with
an immediate declaration of war, will tend
still further to prevent any such rash and
inevitably fatal enterprise.
That the successes of the French and
Sardinians have been brilliant, and thor
oughly dishearting tc Austria, it is now
useless to deny. Whether these successes
will be so promptly and ably followed up
as to rid Italy of the Austrians during the
present season, is less easy to decide. The
celebrated quadrangle of defences, on the
Mincio and the Adige, may detair the Al
lies long time, if they allow the main army
to reach these strongholds in tolerable or
der. This, however, can hardly happen,
unless the next great battle-immient at
the last dates-proves an Austrian triumph.
Another French victory will probably re-
suit in the utter route of the immense force
that invaded Piedmont under Gyulal.-
This is what We think may not unreasona-
bly, be anticipated, from the posture of at
fairs at the latest advices. ca
In any event beyond severe defeat of
the Allied forces, we think the present cam
paign will not be very protracted. The
improved siege preparations of the French,
and the tenibleI power of the Zouaves in
an assault, will be likely to make quicker
work with the fortresses even of Verona
and Mantua, than most people seem to sup
pose. Then the allied forces will be con-
stantly strengthened by Italian volunteers,
more than counteraeting the advan ages of
Austria from a communication with Vienna
through the line of the Adige and the
Tyroi. The French finances, too, are in a
good condition, while those of Austria are in
wretehed state of embarrassment. On the
whole we believe the chances in this Italian
war alone are very decidedly against the
Austrians.
These are some of the reasons which in
duce us to believe that the war will be con-
fined to its present stage, and that it will
not be prolonged for many months. When
ever Austria is sufficiently humbled to retire
from Italy, end leave the people to their
own chosen government, we believe the
war will end. In our own judgment, it
will come to this sooner or later. That Ma
poleon entertains any important designs be-
yond what he has substantially avowed, in
this undertaking, or will attempt any, if let
alone in his present conflict, We see no sat
isfactory reasons for assuming. Should
any further ambitious purposes be disclos-
ed, there will then be an alliance to put him
down, and England will play controlling
part in the game. But we look for peace
before any such combination is really called
for Cincinnati Gazette.