Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-05-13
THE EUROPEAN War.

We devote considerable space to-day to the
details of the late news from Europe. The very
latest intelligence is to the effect that the Aus
TRAN army had marched into Sardinia and hos
tilities had commenced. Should this news
prove correct, and the proceeding adsiees were
Of d character to leave but little room to
doubt as to its authenticity, we shall doubtless
soon hear of hostile encounters such as have not
before been witnessed in Europe since the days
Of the great Napoleon. The war can hardly
fail to become general-and considering the
preparations that have for months been making
by the principal powers, the advance that has
been made during the last twenty years in the
science of war, and the facilities that railroads
and steamships furnish for rapidly concentrate
ing large bodies of troops at any desired point
the conflict must necessarily be a terrific
enc, and the result and its effects upon the gov
erments involved entirely problematical.
The London Times, in reference to the pos
tire o~fafiairs just previous to the commence
mlent Of hostilitics. and the probabilities of the
contest, says:
"Austrja can place upon the Ticino 200, 900
men within the three days of grace fixed in the
imperative demand Of the Austrian Govern
ment. Sardinia occupies the opposite bank of
the Ticino, with a force which could not pro-
badly delay for one day its own destruction by
that gigantic enemy. 1t may be that Sardinia
can show 10000 men in arms, including her
free corps. After making reductions for her
garrison, Sardinia may be abe to arrange 40
0Ho in line of battle. Three days . frespite are
all that is given. If the demand has been al
ready made next Sunday (Aprii 24l may see an
Austrian army in quick advance upon Turin.
Ii Austria and Sardinia are left to themselves
re shall hear, in a few days, of an invasion and
a battle. Every thing points this out as the
natural consequence. The sudden ultinlatum
aud the short reprieve are evidently 4 part of a
well considered military policy formed by Aus
tria. 1t is clearly her interest, if she is re
solved upon war or if she feels that she viii be
compelled TO accept war, to crush the Sandman
army before the French can arrive To lis assis-
lance. The march from the hanks Of the Ticinn
TO Turin offers every facility for the advance Of
a great army. Three days would bring the Aus
TRAN general to the unprotected city Of Turin.
There is nothing between the frontier and the
capital but the army, and the bodies OF the 49,
900 Sandman troops who are so vastly ont
numbered by the Austrians. To crush that army
20 effect by force the disarmament demanded, aud
to dictate terms at Turin, would be but the effort
of a few days if Sardinia remains unfriended."
The Times examines the prospect of Sardinia
receiving timely assistance, and speaks as follows:
w may assume, perhaps. that the passage OF
the Ticino will be considered by the Emperor
Of the French as q declaration of war By Austria,
and that, while the Austrians are marching from
the cast on Turin, the French Emperor will pour
his columns from the west, and march through
the passes of the Alps to meet the Austrian in
vadeFs, and to anticipate, If possible, their a.
rival at the Sandman capital.
Bat we should not be very confident in trust
ing the safety of q kingdom to the possibility Of
uniting, before Turin, columns which had to
penetrate the Alps, and to arrive at Genoa
Ifone condition Of the military success Of such
an operation were that the concentration would
be effective in three OF four days, or even FIVE Or
six days, perhaps We NAY count something for
the delay which may reasonably be expected to
be i~ntcrposcd by the Sardianian army, either
lighting or retreating; but, failing this, or those
other chances Of war which never can be fully
calculated; the military heads who seem to have
conceived this plan Of opening the campaign,
have not failed in Srategatic ability The
Times concludes by remarking that, physically
speaking, ifthe war is to come, the power which
strikes the first blow, and chooses It's own field
Of action, will have the advantage. Morally
speaking the picture is reversed.