The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-04-15
THE WAR NEWS.

Carpathian mountains, where the Muscovites
were said to control virtually all the i'm ortant
passes and were preparing for descent of the
southern slopes to the Plains Of Hungary, re-
vived unofficial talk of separate peace for
Austro- Hungary. and seemingly increased the
anxiety Of the interventionists in Italy for
their country to take up arms ON the side of
the Allies and secure territory which they
have failed to get in the negotiations through
Germany with Austria. The Russian news
papers seemed convinced that Hungary, if not
the whole dual monarchy. is ready to seek
peace, and it was said that Emperor Francis
Joseph had requested Pope Benedict to inter-
vene in his behalf. This latter report has,
however, been denied.--As to Italy it looks as
though she would have to fight or face q revo-
luton at home.
Sundays papers brought the news that the.
Russian advance in Hungary had been checked
and that further gains in that direction might
be deferred for some time.
The British steamer Harplayce, the first re.
lief boat of New York State and under charter
to the commission for relief in Belgium, has
either been torpedoed or sunk by mine in
the North sea.
The German converted cruiser Kronprinz
Wilhelm, the elusive raider of commerce in the
south Atlantic. slipped into Newport NewsApril
11th and asked for fuel and provisions. Many
times reported destroyed, the former North
German Lloyd liner had evaded hostile war
ships for eight months while she sent Is mer-
chantmen. valued at 100000, to the bottom
Her officers said she was forced to steal her
way past four allied cruisers off the Virginia
capes to reach this refuge. 1--WE got in
without being seen by the enemy and we
can get out the same way" declared her COM
mander. Lieutenant Captain Paul Thierfelder,
formerly navigating officer of the German
cruiser Karlsruhe. When she dropped anchor
the Kronprinz Wilhelm had less than 25 tons
of coal and scanty provisions for the crew of
500 men and 81 prisoners from British mer-
chant ships sunk in the south Atlantic.
This report comes from London under date
of April 18th: With the capture by the Russians
of almost all the main chain of mountains. the
battle of the Carpathians, which has lasted up-
wards of 80 days. is apparently reaching ter
mination over one extensive front, and the
Russians are said to be moving at various points
by railways and roads and along the rivers and
streams down the southern slopes towards the
plains of Hungary. This movement if it con-
tinues successfully, will, in the view of the
Russian military authorities. compel the re-
tirement, with little or no fighting, of the Aus
TRANS and Germans. who are still north of the
Carpathians. to the east of Uzsok pass and in
eastern Galicia and Bukowina. The battle which
has been thus successfully conducted by the
Russians was. from all accounts, one of the
tiercest of the war and the manner in which
the Russians overcame the difficulties of noun
tam fighting in mid winter has been the subject
OF praise by those who witnessed the opera.
tions or are acquainted with the country trav-
ersed.
From London April 18th: Two gateways into
Hungary still remain barred. despite the ire.
mendous hammering by the Russians forces
and as the Beskid pass is the less important of
the two strategicaly, further advances into
Hungary hangs upon the possession of Uzsok
pass. where the invaders are meeting with the
most stubborn opposition. Several days ago the
Russians captured position which gave them
command of a road leading to the rear of
Uzsok pass, but since then the Tuetonic allies
have checked the movement in this direction,
The Importance of the Carpathian operations
is indicated by the half-hearted actions report
ed from other sections on the long eastern
front where even the counter offensive in
East Galicia, which evidently was planned to
divert the Russians from the passes, seems to
have been prosecuted with little energy.