, 1866-08-03
S d. G TX WIS.

Uub tJCIC Is uO uOuUG that Nv -lneIr
prompt advance into Venetia and Tyrol
they have thrown irresoIution and disor-
der into the Austrian plans, and thereby
aided the progress of their Prussian ally.
News from Ancona assures US that Per-
sano with the whole Italian fleet left that
harbour on the Sth,-on the same day,
that is, on which Cialdini marched across
the Pc to Royigo. The destination of
the italian fleet was probably known to
the Admiral alone but if he was bent on
cooperating with Cialdini, either in an
attack upon Venice or, what seems more
probable, by some bold stroke on the
coast near Trieste, he may have gained
possession of some point Of the railway
shore in time 10 cut off the retreat of the
Austrian divisions on their way to Vienna.
But, whatever forces the Imperial Co.
vernment may have succeeded in gather
ing together in and around Vienna from
various quarters, it is still doubtful
whether it will find Itself equal to the
task of withstanding the victorious Prus-
sian army, which according to all calcu-
l%ation, should assemble before the capital
tomorrow or the day after. Pressed by
a deputation from the Vlennese munich
pality inquiring His MajeSty'S good plea
sure with respect TO the defence of the
city, the Emperor at once removed the
townSpeopIe's apprehensions by answer
ing that Vienna would BE- treated as an
"open city," and adding that he would
limit his military operations to the de-
fence Of the line of the Danube,-a plan
which might bring the Prussian attack
on FIorisdorf, a village on the left bank
of the river, two or three miles from the
town gates, where the AuStrians have
an in,renchcd camp and tGte de poat.
Should, however, the PruSsians resolve
upon an attack on Vienna, they would
certainly attempt to cross the river at
several poiats both above and below
Vienna, and in the event Of their success
the 'open city, would unayoidablv fail
into their hands. The state of discous-
agement into which the Austrian army
has been throwa by repeated losses in
Bohemia, and the magnitude of the in
tefests at stake ia the seat of the Empire,
will, we incline 10 believe, deter the
Emperor from a final encounter so close
to his capital, and we trust that before
the Prussians are ready for their onset
that interview between the two Mon
archs will take place which might have
been so much more OPPORTUNITY held on
the morrow after the disaster of KONG
gratz. But at that %juncture the Empe-
ror Francis Joseph ovcrrated the ability
Of the Emperor Napoleon to help him
out of his difficulties and the Emperor
of the French, with all the rest Of the
world, miscaIculated the probable dura-
ton of the struggle of which he had made
up his mind to be a neutral spectator.
The forces of the two great German
States then seemed 10 be so fairly match
ed-lhe reputation Of both armies for
bravery and discipline was so we'll es-
tabIished, that it was but too natural TO
anticipate a long alienation Of success,
and Napoleon III. felt that nothing could
be easier than TO play the part of umpire
between the b~elligerents when both
should lie exhausted and helpless at his
feet. The almost instantaneous COLLAPSE
of Austria Disconnected all these designs,
and now, although we learn nothing from
the MOnatenr, we are told by the Austrian
official organ that .sthe proposed media
elton of the Emperor Of the French is,
ufor tho nrocnnf o. looct ~ /. o1 -