The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-06

| We devote our first page this morning to q
map of the seat Of war in Italy, expressly pre-
pared for the HERALD, with view to place be-
fore our readers clear and comprehensive pic
tare Of the scene Of those important events now
transporting In Europe, which are destined to
effect no little change in its history it's dynases
and its geographical features. All the leading
points which have made, and probably will make,
any notable aspects in the present campaign, will
be found in this map. The circumscribed limits
Of our space however, prevent US fcom including
Venice, which has probably ere this become the
scene of most important strasegio movement;
but its position is sufficiently indicated by the
line Of railroad intersectiRg Padua, from which
city 1t is distant, in an eastery direction, about
twenty-five miles. Accompanying the map we
give on the second page succinct history of the
war from its commencement to the present time,
translated from weekly bulletin published in
Brussels entitled La Guere d Itale, together with
accurate descriptions of the fortresses command
ing the strategic square. On the map itself it
will be seen we have located, by sufficiently sig
nifcant symbols, the hostile armies at the points
which they occupied at latest accounts
A glance at these positions will show that the
preceding incidents of the campaign have brought
the belligerent forces to point where the most
deadly and decisive conflict has become in
evitable.
The main army of the Austrians commanded
by the Emperor Francis Joseph in person, is
concentrated in the heart of that historic quad
rangle, defended at its four corners by the al
most impregnable Notifications of Pcschiera,
Mantua, Verona and Legnano, presenting the
river Mincio as Its western front to the enemy,
and Aanked by the slopes of the Alps and the
impossible marshes which lie between Mantua
and Legnano.
Here, where the brunt Of SO many desperate
battles has been borne at various periods,
from the wars Of the first Napoleon to the revo-
lutionary campaign Of ls4s, when the army of
Charles Albert was routed and disorganized, the
dominion of the House of Hapsburg in Italy is
about to make its final stand; with what results
are yet undetermined. The position is undoubt-
eddy strong one; but there can be n, doubt
that it is seriously menaced by the strategy of
road to Peschiera are concentrated the rulI
force Of the French and Sandman armies. Press
Ing through Tuscany, to outdank the Aus
tIian position to the east, is the army Of Prince
Napoleon, which effected landing at Leghorn,
while the French squadron in the Adriatic, with
strong corps d'armfe, threatens Venice. This,
we opine, is an attitude unlocked for by Aus
trio Chou1d fhn uooyoroontu nf fhoco <,,,o
corps be successfully effected, not only will
the garrison Of Venice-Austria's only port
on the Adriatic-be cut up, but the rail-
road which connects the Austrian position
with Vienna will be in the hands of the enemy,
and Francis Joseph will find himself, with re-
Inducements and supplies cut of, completely
hemmed in, and reduced to bring the war to an
issue within square Of not much more than
thirty i've miles front in any direction-by nature
and military science powerfully defended it is
true, and capable Of maintaining itself for
prolonged aud bloody campaign, but such a posi-
ton as skiiful commander could only accept
as necessity, and would never select as .
choice.
On the other hand, should the Allies expe-
rience reverse in their frat attempts to force
the position Of the enemy AZ they possibly
may-for it is presumab.e that ne Aus.riaus have
cut up the railroad leading 10 Peschiera, demol.
ihed the four bridges which, it will be per-
ceived by our map, span the Mincio, and placed
other obstacles in the way of their advance, it
must be remembered that though the Allies are
noninally in the enemy's country, they are vir-
tually surrounded b. friends, with the aban.
doned frontiers CT the Ausrians-Milan, Payia,
Piacenza aud other cities IN Lombardy-to fall
back upon, and with Garibald holding open the
reads to Lake Maggiore and Switzerland on the
north. Thus they have an open field to operate
ID, while the enemy are surrounded and circum-
scribed by the line Of defences within which they
are entrenched.
In the event Of e reverse Louis Napoleon is
prepared to appeal to the revolutionary spirit
Of Italy, aud accept the leadership Of great
democratic movement. With view to this
policy, as well as the strategic objects alluded
to, his cousin, Prince Napoleon, holds au army
In the very heart Of the south sufficiently large
to form safe nucleus around which TO rally
the disafected populations Of Tuscany, Parma
and Modena. and combine the whole peninsula
in common cause.
And, while affairs have assumed this aspect 10
Italy, Germany stands this moment in such an
equivocal position IS may at any time involve
all Europe In the contest. Prussia holding as
she does the leading place in confederated
Germany next to Austria, while jealous of the
safety and dignity Of Germany, would doubtless
not regret to see Austria go to pieces, and is
probably even now pre-arranging the disposition
Of the fragments- II che is prudent, she win
preserve the neutrality ahe has assumed; but the
force of circumstances may compel her to pursue
another course the result whereof is not to be
contemplated without serious fears for the peace
Of all Europe.