The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-03

first Benedek will probably attompt to carry tho
war into saxony and Southern Brandenburg, be,
Berlin is shorter by that route than by Silesia,
and Berlin is supposed to he his objective point
Tho plains OF Saxony also afford favorable ground
Tor the celebrated Austrian cavalry. The move
ment, however, s too little advanced to develop
| fully the plan OF either army.
THE GREAT CONTEST.
IF'rom the London Times June 16.1
1t is the first movc in this great contest that was
Saxon yonter bryss tho military ovos
that have ever taken tho field in Germany into
| necessary aud probably immediate collision. AS
soon as Field Marshal Benedek learns by telegraph
| that the enemy has begun operations, he must at
once put his great army in motion. Lopsc and the
nor thern part of the Saxon Kingdom will no doubt
be seized at once by the Prussians, but tho Aus
trians, having but few miles to advance, and the
railway at their service, will establish themselves
at Dresden. Thus do VIC see that Inflated region
once more the battle-ground of great powers.
Benedek is probably not sorry that the enemy
have given him q justification for entering
Saxony. He will now be bound to protect tho
duty he secures the best possible position for
operating against the enemy. From Prague to
Berlin the road lies through Dresden and across
the Plains of Prussian saxony. This road he is
now free to take, and no inconyenient neutrality
compels him to carry on what may be called a
provincial contest in Silesia. Yet the prompitude
OF the Prussian movements may even here obtain
for them some considerable advantages: large
part of the Kingdom may in few days, be in their
power, and they viii at least have the choice Of
foreign territory. The Prussian commanders
know the country as we'll as their opponents; in
deed, every German officer who has studied his
the military features Of this region. Though the
Prussian army is ostensibly commanded by royal
Personages, there will not be wanting men to use
its strength to the best advantage.
There is certainly reason for the Prussisn Gov
ernment to bestir itself, If it would make a head
against its adversaries. It has, indeed, power
full ally in Italy, with its immense and increasng
evies; but in Germany itself Prussia is overmatch-
ed, and che must, as under the great Frederick,
make up for inferiority Of numbers by activity
and military, skill. The vote Of the Frankfort
Diet shows the sympathy OF the German Govern
ments with the Austrian cause. All the four
kingdoms Of Bavaria, Saxony, Wurtemberg, and
Hanover, voted for the mobilization Of the Fede-
| raj Force, as did also Electoral and Grand Ducal
Hesse, Brunswick and Nassau. On the other side,
! no important Government voted for Prussia ex-
cept that of the King Of the Netherlands, who is
pretty certain to remain neutral in the contest.
| In every element OF power there Is an immense
disproportion between the two parties into which
| the minor States have been thus divided.
For the present all hangs on the chance OF a
to be unsuccessful is to be guilty. Should Count
Bismark fall in the bold designs he has conceived
there will be no reproach that will not be cast at
him by victorious enemies and ruined friends.
But if Prussia gains any material accession of
power, che may produce changes in Germany
which will take away the remembrance Of her
ambition: The questions which ag itate Germany,
Italy, and the heterogeneous provinces Of Austria,
have been discussed by foreign secretaries and
ambassadors for nearly generation, without
much effect. Seven years since there was par
Emperor; and since then the impotence OF neeo-
tiation has unfortunately been even more strong
ly marked. The arbtrsment of war ia again in
voked by million Of men in the field, and we can
only hope that the decision to be attained by 30
tremendous sacrifice may tend to human happi-
ness and advancement.