The Sentinel=record., 1915-04-09
ITALY TAKES THE MATTER MORE SERIOUSLY THAN ANY OF
 THE OTHER NATIONS.
FIGHTING IN THE MOUNTAINS
Russia Continues to Slowly Force Her Way Toward the Hungarian PIains-OVerflowed Rivers Stop Fighting in the Poland Country.

London, April S--10:30 D. m.- There were persistent rumors in Lon don this evening that Germany either had declared war on Holland or that hertroops had occupied that strip of Dutch territory which extends from the Belgian frontier on the coast to the river Scheldt. The reports lack
 confirmation and are not credited by
 those who should know if either ae. | tion had been taken.
 It is possible tha the report arose from the news received in the last | few days from Dutch sources that the | Germans were strengthening their
 position around the Dutch frontier and that mucn uneasiness prevailed at The Haugue and other Ditch cities as
 result of the seizure or sinking of Dtch steamers by German submarines.
 The Dutch are strongly opposed to | intervention in the war but their army
 is ready to repel any invasion of Dutch territory, complete prepara-
 tions with that object having been
 made long ago,
 Another diplomatic report which
 has created immense fh>.eaT is tas< from Rome to the effect that Austria
 Is seeking separate peace with Rus.
 sia. This likewise lacks confirmation and is not credited as it is not con. 1 sidered likely that Germany would he
 sending endorsements to the Car
 pathians if there were any doubt of
 Austria's loyalty to her ally. Italy takes the matter more seriously than
 the other nations for should it prove
 to be true it would end her hopes of gaining territorial concessions from
 Austria. However, the stubborn way
 in which Austria is resisting the Rus-
 sian advances in the Carpathians seems to contradict the suggestion
 that she is ready to seek peace aSr l Rnssia's terms
 The fighting in the mountain passeg continues as fiercely as yer and al though Austria claims that her troops
 with the assistance of Germans have gained success on both sides of the Laborcza valley during Easter. ths Russians are on the whole much fur ther advanced than they were week ago and have forced the Dukla, Lup-
 kow and Rostock pases and are pour ing troops into the region of Uzsok
 pass where the heaviest battle is now in progress.
 So far as the .est of the eastern front is concerned the only battle of any importance $ that in Bukowlna,
 where the Austrians are thrusting at the Russian positions in the hope of compelling the Russians to send rein forcements from the Carpathans. Tn west Galicia and Poland the overflow ing rivers and bottomless marshes prevent movements on q large scale.
 These same conditions are hinder ing the Trench operations between the Meuse and Moselle rivers, the French official report today stating
 that heavy rains nave rendered the ground difficult for the movement of troops and the employment of trtillery
 There is a very important battle in
 progress in this region. however, and
 The Frnech claim to be making ad- vances-a claim which is contested by the Germans who declare that all the attacks have been repulsed Which ever report is correct, there is little doubt that sangunary battle is be- ng fought and that in the attacks and l counter-attacks very heavy losses have been sustained
 The people of Europe are expect antly awaiting a renewal of the at tack of the Dardanelles-thi time with land forces. But the only news from that part of the world today is | that Turkey has decided to call up all
 men capable of bearing arms, an indi.
 cation that sne expects the allies to
 bring exceedingly strong forces against her