Gilpin observer., 1915-05-20
KEEP SENTRY BUSY
Smugglers and Fugitives Run
GantIet on Holland
Many Shot, but Germans Hesitate t,
Fire Over Line for Fear Of Neu-
trality violation-Lacerated
In Wire Maze.

Bergen-opZoom, Holland. - Dutch
soldiers under arms stand at intervals
along the Dutch-Belgian frontier near
here, keen observers of the movements
of the Germans in devastated Belgium
The Dutchmen. themselves not at war,
live through at least some of the ex-
citement of actual fighting, for in the
stiffness reigning over the peaceful
agricultural districts about here they
can hear from time to time the roar Of
cannon from the direction of Zee
brugge. Also they are often witnesses
of the chase by German troops of
young Belgians making dash for the
frontier in an effort to get to Holland
and thence across the channel to Flan-
ders to join the Belgian army in
Flanders.
The German sentries just over the
river separating the two countries
never cease their vigilant lookout for
these young fellows and have taken
many precautions to prevent their
crossing the line. Bushes have been
cut down and obstacles in the way Of
clear view of the landscape have
been removed. Barbed wire entangle
ments have been erected for many
yards.
Yet the young Belgians dare every
thing. They crawl beneath the wire
in the night and with luck manage in
many cases to get through at the ex-
pense of torn clothing and flesh. Then,
however there is the open space be-
fore the frontier to pass. This is close
ly guarded by German landsturm
troops, but the Belgians often try to
cover it in desperate dash under the
fire of the sentries. Many of them
succeed, for the Germans take good
care rot to fire in the direction of the
frontier, as they would thus run the
risk of shooting the Dutch sentinels on
the other side of the line and in this
way committing a breach of neutrality.
Once within Dutch territory the Bel
gian youths are free. AS they are not
yet soldiers. they cannot be interhed
and most of them make their way to
a port for shipment across the channel
The Dutch troops on other parts Of
the frontier have to keep a sharp look
out for smugglers of contraband from
their own territory into Germany.
These smugglers. because of the rich
profits in case of success, are daring
| and risky and do not hesitate to use
| violence against their own country
men.
Gasoline and horses are the most
profitable to the smugglers. The for
| mer brings at least treble its former
price Sound horses of any age fetch
extraordinary prices from the Ger.
mans, anything up to $500 being paid
| for draft horses.
All roads leading to the frontier are
closed to traffic. Directly on the bor-
der line at wide intervals stand single
sentries with their loaded rifles resting
beneath their arms. About 200 yards
! farther back is second line Of senti-
| nels and behind these some distance
in the rear are pickets of dozen men.
each with noncommissioned officer.
The smugglers naturally keep to
side paths or go across country. In
case they should be seen by the pick.
cts they are at once arrested and their
loads confiscated
Often, however, at night they sue
ceed in passing through the gaps be-
tween the pickets. Then their prog.
ress becomes more difficult and their
presence is often discovered by the
forward lines of sentries, who fire II
the smugglers. as sometimes happens,
make dash to reach the German
lines.