The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-29

The Commencement OF the European war
The Situation from an American
Standpoint.
From the TIMES.
The news from Europe yesterday announces,
at last, the commencen ent of the European
war. The honor of opening the ball has been
awarded to Bismark. The Prussian troops have
entered simultaneously the territory of Hanover
and Saxony, thus wing the first practical reply
to the resolutions of the Federal Diet Austria
can emily meet this defiance with the splendid
argument of her vast disciplined army which
will now of course at once be put in motion to
take up the challenge in earnest
We Americans regard these grand, imposing
military movements almost purely from the
critical stand. point Our passions ana our
sympathies are not aroused specially Tor either
ol the chief combatants, nor Is there any ground
Of principle to give direction to our opinions.
We rca ad the news and the State papers with an
unbiased judgment and form our estimates of
successive events entirely upon their merits.
We suppose that most people have sort OF adj
miratlon Tor the audacitY OF the Prusslan Minis
ter, though few will deny that Austria Is more
nearly legally right in the position she has
1aken on the HolsJeIn question.
The diplomatic documents emanating from
Austrian sources have been OF higher order oil
ability than the Prusslan, and their GOODNESS
and decision OF statement have been sucn as 10
command universal respect In regard 20 the
military lorces and prospects oil the Two powers
they are in each case such as to prevent any
thing ike assurance in estimating the chances
and results. II Prussia is the superior in equip
ment and at least The equal In discipline, Aus
tria lis superior IN numbers and IN the cavalry
arm, Ii the Austrian population ana consequently
the army are diverse IN race and characCerls-
fics, the Prussian population are greatly want
ing in unanimity OF sentiment in supporting the
war. IL Austria Is more easily detensibe
against invasion, Prussia has initiated the war
by military movements which will give her very
strong and de ensibe positions.
As to the relative generalsh1p OF the two
armies, upon which so much depends, we can
not yet form judgments that are worth any
thing. Austria has commanders of experience
and reputation, foremost OF whom is Benedek;
but the Prusslan army, on great occasions, has
always been notable Tor producing able leaders.
AS to financial condition, Prussia has unques-
tionably great superiority; but Austria has
promptly put herself In the way oil providing
means for one or two great campaigns which
will In all probability be the extent OF the war;
and even national bankruptcy is clrcum.
stance which IN Austria is by no means synony-
NOUS with national ruin. If Prussia has q
powerful ally in Italy, Austria is evidently TO
have the aid OF the more important minor
German States, besides the moral support of the
Confederation IT, in the course of events,
France should throw her sword into the scale
against Austria the latter may find an equally
formidable ally in the great Russian empire
To Prussia at least the, friendship of France
will be dangerous, while that of Russia tol
Austria will have no counterbalancing perils to
1he latter.
In speaking, at the opening of these remarks
of our wauG OF sympathy with either OF the
combatants, we did not allude to the case o
Italy. With the Italian people the Americans
agree in this matter, both in feeling an
pnnciole. The aspirations of Italy for terrItorla
unity and the liberal constitutional principles
OF the Italian Government, have too close
knship with American aspirations and princi
pies not to compel profound sympathy witt
1nem on our part under the circumstances IL
which they are placed. Without Venetla an,
Rome, Italy is not only incomplete and weak
but her very existence is constantly endangered
With the possession OF these detached segment
Italy would be able to complete the gran(
work begun seven years ago; she would be il
2 condition to attain that which has been tn
dream OF her greatest sons for nigh thousan
years, but which princes and priests bav
combined for centuries to postpone and rende
unattainable.
That both Italian people and Government
appreciate the situation ali its bearings,
be- ond doubt; and with such able admnstra
tors in the Government, such eminent com
manders in the army, such universal militar
ardor and such pro iouno enthusiasm for Tree
dom and union among the entire people, w
doubt not Italy Will make an effort woItny o
the new lie to which she aspires. AT the sam
time, the dangers of fhe crisis are unquestiOI
ably great; and though it is better for tn
italian people to look at the hopes and promise
than the dangers, We at this point need not b
blind to the latter. She has mighty foe Il
Austria, whole province she would assai, an
something more than the enthusiasm an
numerical strength OF which she is possessed
Moreover, OF all the parties to the combat, Ital
can worst endure defeat. 1t is conceded on a
hands, and even III Italy itself, tnat failure j.
this great effort would involve the dissolution
the Government and nationality, and woul
either throw Italy into the hands OF the prince
who are eagerly waiting for her fall, or Woul
make her subseryient to foreign domination.
War;