New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-25

Benedek had TO rely On railroads for his sup
plies. All of his movements Tad to be subordinate
10 his holding command of them; these once lost,
his army was destroyed There are two lines oil railroad
from Prague the capital of Bohemia, to VIENNA first
that via Pardubtz and Landskron, where II branches
into two-one at Brunn, the other via Olmutz, uniting
with the first at Lundenburg from thence to Vienna
The command of this road was indispensable for the
safety of Benedck's army. branch of this road
leads from Pardubitz to Koniggratz, Josephsadt ana
Nachod, debouching upon the heater OF the late Dat
ties The second line goes first to Ratshno on the
Danube thence by the south bank of that river TO
Vienna BY ascending the Moldau to Budweis VIII
be found road that joins this last at Linz on the
Danube At Prague these unite and proceed along
the banks Of the Ebe to Dresden. This last point Is
connected by road via Bautzen and Gorlitz with
Breslau where it joins the great road from Berlin 10
Slesia. .-'e-'-'--
careful study of the position shows that Dresden
was the objective both for the Ausrians and the Prus-
slams; whichever first occupied it would acquire
great advantage over his adversary. 1t was in the
hands Of the SaIons allies Of the Austrians, who
should have strained every nerve to have held it.
Why Benedek did not do so cannot at present be
known If he felt strong enough to invade Slesia he
certainly could defend Dresden. 1t may be that he
feared the Army of slesia advancing and Selling the
railroad to Vienna; and if this be true his army must
have been too weak and should have been reinforced
from Italy. Until the occupation of Dresden, the two
Prussan armies acting on double exterior lines
that point secured, they could unite via the Dres-
den and Brcsau road BY holding Zittau, the
Austrians still threatened to intercept that route
at Gorz; but tho PruS5ian victory at Llttau
rendered their communications henceforth Sc
cure. The PrusSian advance into Bohemia from
both Saxony and Sesa was bold. well conceived, and
skllfuly executed though at the first glance 1t would
appear to be violation of the maxim OF war never to
act BIZ double exterior lne your adversary having the
interior line" This, however, vas not the case. BY
means Of the field telegraph the armies were in con-
slant communication with each other so that it was
impossible for Benedek TO move in mass against
either without the other being informed of the move
ment; and a careful examination OF the position
shows he could not follow the retreat Of one without
exposing his line of communication to be seized by
the other. The advances Of the Army of Saxony, by
way Of Reichenberg upon Turnau and Munehengratz,
and that of Silesa from Schweidnitz upon Trautenau,
were well combined and strictly in conformity with
the laws Oh strategy. IL is true IhdI bloVhni VH0Ai
point Of Junction was in the hands Of their adversary
but the constant communication by means OF the held
telegraph made the armies one 1t was the advance
Of the Army of Silesa upon the right flank and rear
Of the Austrans that secured the Prusans the VIC
tory at Sadowa. That much was expected from the
Austrians il certain; that these expectations have
been disappointed cannot be denied.
Before condemnng Benedek however, all the cir
cumstances should be known Austrias resources
are not yet exhaused the yielding of Veneta renders
disposabe her best army. Prussia will hardly dare
to advance Immediately upon Vienna. Her next OBJ
ecye will be the army of the Conederates at Frank
fort That army it seems to U.s. should at once fall
back on Wurzburg and, if necessary, abandon all OF
the territory of the Coniederaey to unite with the
Austrians in the strongly fortified positions of Passau
and Linz Oh the Danube. What Austria requires is
time to concentrate her resources. What Prussia
should do is to act promptly and deeisively so as
to defeat the army of the Conederates at Frankfort
for upon the defeat Of that army will depend the
permanent triumph of Prussia