“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 16

“The Press” In 1866

September 19 The news brought by the Suez mail must have taken most persons by surprise from the speedy termination of a war from which such momentous issues had been prognosticated, and the total collapse of Austria before an antagonist to whom she had generally been considered equal, if not superior. The Austrians, though usually unfortunate in war, have established a deserved reputation for military prowess, and French officers—no incompetent judges—who bad had opportunities of observing the condition of both the Austrian and Prussian armies before the commencement of hostilities, had unanimously expressed an opinion much in favor of the former. French criticism on such

a subject, however, was to be accepted with some reservation, both from the contempt and dislike the French in general have for their German neighbours, and also because the higher praise they heap upon the Austrians the more they reflect on their own victories at Magenta and Solferino. The decisive character of this brief campaign supports the opinion of those who maintain that a long European war, such as that which ended with Leipsic and Waterloo, is no longer possible; that the power of transporting troops by railway will favor the concentration of forces, rapid movements and speedy collision, and that the extraordinary improvement in arms and artillery will make engagements so sanguinary that one or two will decide the contest