THE IMPENDING WAR.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2807, 25 July 1866, Page 6

THE IMPENDING WAR.

The preparations for war continue on all sides, and the armed forces are gradually approaching one another. The subjoined is a somewhat detailed account of the opposing forces that may be arrayed against each other in Germany :—: — The Austrian army, upon the full war footing, is said to consist of: — 1. Infantry of the line — 80 regiments, of three field battalions and one dep6t battalion each ; and 32 battalions of chasseurs. With the fifth battalion, which the emperor has just ordered to be formed in each regiment, and the depot detachment tojbe formed for each of the 32 battalions of chasseurs, these two branches of the Austrian infantry will number 500,000 fighting men. There are besides 14 regiments of frontier infantry and one regiment Tyrolese rifles, numbering altogether about 55,000 ; this gives a grand total of 555,000 foot.-- 2. Cavalry — 12 regiments cuirassiers, 2of dragoons, 14 hussars, and 13 lancers ; about 52,000 horse. 3. Field Artillery— l 2 regiments of artillery, and 1 regiment of rocketers; 55,000 men with 25,000 horse. 4. Scientific Corps — 2 regiments engineers and 6 battalions pioneers; 16,000 men. 5. Sanitary Corps — 12 companies/ 2,400 men. Adding to these about 1,000 life guards, 10,000 gendarmes, military police, &c, and 24,000 train, we arrive at a grand' total of some 715,000 in round numbers. It must be borne in mind, however, that there are some 35,000 Venetians in the Austrian army, and that the defence of Venetia, with the Tyrolese passes, &c, requires some 200,000, besides 50,000 more for Fiume and the Dalmatian coast ; while considerable corps of observation must be stationed in Transylvania and in Galicia. On the other hand, it should not be omitted here that the recall of the men who have served their time, and the raising of volunteer corps, might yield an additional force of 400,000. We find, accordingly, that Austria might, iv case of urgent need, by straining every nerve put into the field above a million of troops ! The Prussian army, upon a full war footing, is said to consist of: — 1. Guards— 9- regiments (108 companies), or about 28,000 men, with 9 supplemental or dep6t battalions, 9,000. 2. Infantry — a, Line. 12 regiments grenadiers, 8 fusiliers, and 52 of the line, 216 battalions, or 220,000— in round numbers, with 72 supplemental battalions, 72,000 ; 10 battalions rifles, 10,000; with. 10 supplemental companies, 2,500; b, landwehr, or militia, 12. battalions of guards, 104 provincial battalions, and 1,0 supplemental battalions rifles, numbering altogether about 125,000. 'J his gives a grand total of some 466,000 in round numbers, officers not included. 3. Cavalry — 11 regiments cuirassiers, 11 regiments dragoons, 18 hussars, 20 lancers (including guards, line, and landwehr), the whole numbering about 48,000 horse. 4. Artillery — 9 brigades of field artillery, with about 900 pieces and 28,000 men. 5. Scientific Corps — 9 battalions pioneers, 10,000. 6. Train — 9 battalions, 30,000 men. Adding to these some 40,000 more for officers, artillery of the landwehr (24,000), workmen's companies, &c, we arrive at a grand total of about 620,000 in round numbers, to which the calling out of the second band of the landwehr might add some 100,000 more. By raising volunteers and by calling out the more valid portion «f the so-called Landsturm, the grand total of the Prussian forces might be swelled t© a million of meu. The middle and. smaller states of the German Confederation may put into the field about 350,000, and in case of urgent need perhaps 200,000 more. The army and navy of Italy is estimated as follows : — The army of Italy, on a war footing, may be raised to the total strength of 700,000 men, exclusive of a corps of 14,000 custom-house officers who are trained to military service, and of the volunteer or free corps, whose numbers it is impossible to estimate, but whose services are of incomparable moral as well as material value. The available naval force of Italy at the present moment is reported to comprise 14 first-rate armoured steam frigates, and 10 armoured second-rates, 12,480-horse power, and 448 guns ; 20 screw, and 25 paddle frigates, or corvettes ; 23 steam transports, and 11 despatch or gunboats. The whole force, armoured and unarmoured, represents 30,210-horse power, 1,321 guns, 28,847 men, and 187,077 tonnage. The creation of this considerable force, which places Italy at the head of the naval powers "of the second order, and in a condition of overwhelming superiority to Austria, has cost, within the last five years, a gum of £4,264,000. It is expected that the Italian squadron, under the chief command of Vice- Admiral Persano, and in two divisions, commanded by rearadmirals, will give a good account of the enemy, whether encountered at sea, or under cover of fortified harbours. In the midst of these formidable preparations the efforts making towards a pacific solution, although slow, are nevertheless earnest and important. The Congress of German deputies have adopted a resolution condemning war, and declaringthatjppwer guilty of a crime that causes war. The three great powers, England, France, and Russia, have resolved upon the basis of a Congress to be held at Paris, with a view to the settlement of the questions at issue. Mr. Layard, on the part of the English Government, has had an interview with the Emperor on the subject, and at the moment at which we write -the assent of Austria alone is wanted to complete the arrangement. There is rtason to believ/s that Austria will accept the proposal, ■ and before we •go to press we shall probably be able to announce that Russia, England, and France are sitting in council with -Prussia, Italy, and Austria. It is understood that territorial compensation is to^ be the mode of adjustment, but the difficulty will be to find the territorial compensations. Such is the present very uncertain state of affairs, in which, notwithstanding all appearances and desires to the contrary, the probabilities of war, we are afraid, < greatly predominate over' the chances of peace. — Home tfeios. ■ - ' l ' •

The Westland Observer, July 7th, states that the ketch ' Caroline,' which sailed from Grey River on the 14th June for Bruce Bay is missing.