THE IMPENDING WAR.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 534, 6 August 1866, Page 3

THE IMPENDING WAR.

(From the "Home News," 2nd June.) The long-expected continental war has not yet hroken out, but on all sides the preparations for military operations have been pushed forward with an activity, and a disregard of cost, which appear to imply that the statesmen of Austria, Prussia, and Italy are convinced that a collision cannot be long averted. Neither of these States is-, however, willing to strike the first blow, and an opportunity for negotiation is thus afforded of which the three neutral Powers — Great Britain, Prance, and Russia — are taking every advantage. The first suggestion of a 1 Congress, it is believed, came from England ; and .after several conferences at the French Foreign-office, the French Foreign Minister and the representatives of England and Russia agreed to certain propositions as a basis of discussion. The hostile Powers have been invited to discuss these in a Congress at Paris. The matters of discussion are to be the Austro-Italian difficulty, the Elbe Duchies, and the question of Federal reform. It is reported from Berlin that the neutral Powers proposed two programmes for the Congress, the first of which was readily accepted by Italy and Prussia, but declined by Austria. The second programme was accepted by the three powers. It is further asserted that the English ambassador is said to

have stated that, should the neccasity arise, conditions of peace might be dictated , to the Powers engaging in war. Arrangements are now being made in Paris that the Congress may be held there in a' few days. Iv that city there are hopes that it will result in peace, but recent telegrams from Berlin and Vienna give anything but . a hopeful \ie\v of the affair, 'it is said that Prussia, while accepting the invitation to the Conference, will not permit discussions in reference to the state of Germany. That she regards as properly belonging to the duties of a German Parliament, of which she has demanded the convocation. Italy's hopes of peace may perhaps be judged of by the fact that a new decree has been issued authorising the raising of a second army of 20 battalions ef volunteers. Austria's views may be gathered from the fact that she has ordered a forced loan of 20 millions from Venetia. The subjoined is a somewhat detailed account of the opposing forces that may be arrayed against each other in the event of a pacific solution not being arrived at: — The Austrian army, upon the full w r ar footing, is said to consist of :-— l. Infantry of the line — 80 regiments, of three field battalions and one depot 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 to be 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 oi' 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 of cuirassiers, 2 of dragoons, 14 hussars, and 13 lancers ; about 52,000 horse. 3. Eield Artillery — 12 regiments of artillery and 1 regiment of rocketers ; 55,000 men with 25,000 horses. 4. Scientific Corps — 2 regiments engineers and 6 battalions pioneers ; 16,000 men. 5. Sanitary Corps — 12 companies, 2400 men. Adding to these about 1000 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 Eiume 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, in case of urgent need, by straining every nerve, put into the field above a million of troops ! The Prussian army, upon the full war footing, is said to consist of; 1. Guards — 9 regiments (108 companies), or about 28,000 men, with 9 supplemental or depot battalions, 9000. 2. Tn fan try — 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, 2500 ; b, landwehr, or militia, 12 battalions of guards, 104 provincial battalions, and 10 supplemental battalions rifles, numbering altogether about 125,000. This gives a grand total of some 466,000, in round numbers, officers not included. 3. Cavalry — 11 regiments cuirrassiers 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 ban of the landwehr might add some 100,000 more. By raising volunteers and by calling out the more valid portion of the so-called Landsturm, the grand total of the Prussian forces might be swelled to a million of men. 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 firstrate armored steam-frigates, and 10 armored second-rates, 12,480-horse-power, and 448 guns ; 20 screw, aud 25 paddle frigates, or corvettes ; 23 steam transports, and 11 despatch gunboats. The whole force, armored and unarmored, represents 30,210-horse-power, 1321 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 sum 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 rear-admirals, will give a good account of the enemy, whether encountered at sea, or under cover of fortified harbors.