The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-18
The Austrian Military Power.


In the event Of Russia being left to CON
tend singlc-hnndcd against an Anglo-Aus-
trinn League, it would be interesting to APP
praise the lighting strength of the two
parties. We know something about the
numbers and organization of the Cars
armies. and we know, too, how seriously
fiscal shortcomings at homo must cripple
efficiency in the field. We have had occasion
also To notice the reforms introduced in
England by the CALDWELL hill, and IL is
certain that Great Britain Is rich enough to
afford mistakes, and TO reconstruct under
fire her military system. But what Is the
weight of the third factor, and what would
be the value OF Austrian cooperation, rs
compared, for instance with the French
alliancc1n the Crimcan war?
On many grounds we should expect the
concurrence Of the llapsburg Kaiser to prove
decidedly more effective thun was that Of
NAPOLEON III. in 1854. The Obvious fact OF
contiguty to the theatre Of war Is of in
comparable Importance. The tremendous
leverage which lies In proximity would, in
such a contest. belong not to Russia, but to
her enemies. For the former power all ac-
cess To Bulgaria by sea would be cut of,
while the transit through Roumania might
not imprObably hc trammclcd by local hos
tility, and would certainly be exposed To as
sauts in flank. From the plains of Hun
gary and the so-called military confines,
chcckcrcd with railways and roads con-
structcd with strategic ends in view. the
forces of England's new ally could be moved
with celebrity and safety To the field Of hos
tilties across the Danube. Under such con-
ditions. operations OF n far more prompt and
formidable character might be- looked for
than when every French regiment and all
its material of war had To be transported by
ship over the long and winding circuit from
Marscilcs to Schastopol.
II the Austrian Kaiscr's consent should he
once secured to overt measures, his subjects
could bc counted on "a offer more vehement
and rcsolutc cooperation than was obtained
from France. We know from the corrc-
spondcncc of NAPOLEON Ill. with Prince
ALBERT that the formers people were at
first only lukcwarm III the Crimcan venture
and that much Of this indifference survived
may bc inferred from the effect of Russian
intrigue at Paris upon the final treaty Of
peace. But under present circumstances a
war against the Muscovitc would be not
merely II measure OF statecratt ON the part
va At' iihiNthik Wy NfaNNs ~ NVhN hiii7
die in the more infammable and warlike
part Of its dominons fever of popular en-
thusiasm and Of national revenge. The
Magyars can forgive their Kaiser for bat
Ting in 1913 to uphold his hereditary
claims. That was family quarrel. whore
each side sought to keep his own. and. like
the majority OF such fcuds, has ended in fun
reconciliation. But the Hungarians have
not forgotten what they owe 10 the North
crn Car who ntcrposcd to crush them
from brutal, disintcrestcd hatred Of all
liberal institutions.
These considerations OF local proximity
and popular enthusiasm would have great
weigh, II the military resources and organ
ization Of the Austro-Hungariun empire re-
manned what they were ten years ago. But
in no direction has the astonishing trans
formation, which dates from the appoint
mcnt Of Count BEUsr as Prime Minister in
| 1867. been more sweeping and cllectual. One
Of the first steps Of the new ruler was
| to reconstruct the whole army system Of
| Austria. as regards recruitment, term of
service. and scheme Of mobilization. after
! that Prussian modcl which had proved it.
self 50 Incompatible at Sadowa. During
| the decade which has elapsed. the now rcgu-
| lations have been sagacousy aud faithfully
applied and the result j. that the fighting
strength of the empire, always impressive
| upon paper. Is now II formidable fact.
! By the law of Dec .. 1865, the
strength Of the regular army ON n war
! footing was fixed AT somewhat less than
100000 men, Of which nearly mocty was
tohr furnished by Hungary. But according
to TIA" report lately published 10y tirn. tr-
Ton. tn" ahovc numbers are now swollen 10
l.Ol3,OO1 nearly a hundred and thirty thou
sand being contributed by the Hungarian
iandrchr alone, whose ratio, however to the
whole Translcithan contingent II but as one
| To four. Thus it appears that in addition to
his German, Czech. and South-Slavic forces,
| the Austrian cOadjutOr of England might
launch into Bulgaria a thoroughly compact
cd and disciplined army Of some half n mil
lion men, largely made up of the Magyars,
and wholly animated with their fiery spirit
| A sufficient number of troops would remain
available for movements in Bosnia and Ser
via, or on the frontier OF Galca in the east,
There are other reasons which we cannot
dwell on here, but which plainly render II
contest with Austria peculiarly dangerous
to Russia. large force would have to be
detailed to prevent an uprising in Poland.
Moreover, the Slavic subjects of the Kaiser
could not fail to exert much pressure on the
kindred peoples of the south, and there
are signs already that Austrian influence
would be dominant at Belgrade, if not at
Cettinlc. But, aside from these matters the
broad facts above outlined demonstrate that,
provided Russia Is left isolated in the strug-
gle which seems impending, the league Of
Austrian steel and British gold will probably
be fatal to her prestige and her ambition.
Hunters Point The Act for the Abate-
ment OF Nuisances.
The first warm evenings of the season
| LIZ.