New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-08
AUSTRIANS IN PERIL
OF RUSSIAN TRAP
Cars Armies South of
Passes Prepare to Attack
Foe at UZSOk.
nv Cable to The Tribune. ]

Petrograd. April THE Russian
columns which have forced their way
to the slopes overlooking the plains OF
Hungary through the Dukla and Lup-
kow passes CT the Carpathians are pre-
pairing to sweep to the eastward and
attack from the rear the great Austro-
German army which is desperately re-
sisting the efforts of the strengthened
Russian force to cut its way through
the Uzsok Pass.
Apparently in anticipation OF this
movement, the Germans, according to
sdyices from the front and dispatches
from the western theatre of war, are
rushing immense numbers Of troops
through Austria up to the army de-
Tending the Uzsok entrance to Hungary.
Austrians Fear Defeat.
According to dispatches from Vienna,
transmitted to Petrograd through Lon
don. the Austrians apparently realize
the risk their army in the Uzsok Pass
runs of being caught in a great Rus
sian wise. and are anxiously awaiting
the arrival of the German reinforce
ments.
One of these Vienna dispatches, con-
tanning a statement given out by
newly created official correspondence
bureau, is regarded here as highly sig
nificant, and by many as designed TO
prepare the public mind for coming
news of an Austrian defeat. The text
of the message follows:
"From both slopes of the Ondawa
Valley to point near the Uzsok Pass
tremendous fighting is going on;
Against the local successes achieved
by us must be reckoned the local sue
cesses OF the enemy, and the former
must be as little overestimated as the
latter.
"The Austro- o-German successes on
the heights to the east Of the Laborcza
Valley have not weighed so heavily IN
the scale as to justify any expectation
of a general decision. Final results IN
modern fighting mature very slowly.
Russians Capture Heights.
The Russians. according to the Off
cial report of the General staff issued
tonight, have seized all the heights OF
the principal chain of the western
Beskid range of the Carpathians, and
are taking the foothills on the Hun
garian side, one by one.
In spite of the statements in the
Vienna official bulletins for a long
time, the truth can now no longer be
concealed, as any day may bring Rus-
sia's cavalry sweeping across the rlcn
plains of Hungary. As the Austrlans
relate the events of the last fortnight,
one would suppose they had merely
taken up stronger positions couple
of miles TO the rear on narrow sec
tion of the front. The fact is that the
Austrians are in retreat and are hard
pressed by the continually increasing
forces of Russia over front or be
tween fifty and sixty miles. Already
they have retreated more than sixteen
miles as the crow flies.
Means i00-Mile Retreat.
In a theatre of war operations like
that of the Carpathlans retreat OF
sixteen miles represents loss equlVa-
lent to a hundred miles over level coun-
try.
On the Prussian frontier front the
but | assure YOU that place no faith
in what part of the press alleges nova
days. regret having TO say that' Dut
no other course is possible
The Sultan was informed that hm-
peror William was sending with Field
Marshal Won der Goltz Iron Crosses OF
the first and second classes. with which
he intended to decorate his majesty,
and the Sultan appeared highly
pleased.
81 am proud Of being presented with
medals which decorate so many brave
men," he said.
Values Opinion of Neutrals.
So far the Sultan had occupied him
self entirely with recent Developments
in the Dardanelles. Addressing him
self 70 the American correspondents
present. he then said: IL am pleased
70 see that two American journalists
had an opportunity to witness the at
Continued On page r. column Q 9