The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-19
WORK REQUIRED
 TO SAVE CUBAN TREATY

the state department that sharpest kind of work will be required to save the Cuban treaty from total failure if it is ratified tomorrow by the senate with the amendments proposed. The slightest amendments will require the convention again to be ratified by the Cuban con- gress, and while there is little doubt that small opposition will be offered, it is pointed out that the period allowed for s-A~~%-~-~~%-%-<>-<-~-~ effort of the railroad companies, and to- night relief is In sight. The Iron Noun tain and Cotton Belt have chartered a steamboat to carry westbound passengers to Helena Ark, from whence they will be taken west over the tracks of the for mer system. The Choctav Is handling It's business over the Illinois Central tracks to Cairo and thence. to Brinkley Ark, over the Cotton Belt tracks, where the Choctaw Is crossed. The Yazoo and Mis- sisstppi Valley Railroad company has chartered a steamer for handling its pas- senger business to the south, the washed out tracks at Ensley not having been re- paired.
 In the city there is practically no change. Refugees continue to arrive in large numbers. The flooded portion of the city has grown considerably with the ad- vance of the river today.
 Change for the Worse.
 vicksburg. Miss, March 19-At 12:3o this Crhursday) morning, the Herald re- ceived a telephone message from Lake Providence stating that a change for the worse in the river situation had suddenly developed, especially at Elton, three miles north of that town.
 Grave fears were entertained for the safety of the levee there and every avall- able man has been rushed to the scene.
 No Alarm at New Orleans.
 New Orleans. March 1S.-The river at this point continues stationary, although a sixteen-mile wind blew in the wrong di- rection, banking up 8 more at one time As the river is not going down and as the Memphis rise is on the way, the weather bureau has good grounds for adhering to its prediction of 21 feet. The highest previous record was In 1S97 and was ls.l As to the city there is no alarm because the already high banks have been reinforced and the line is kept in good shape. So far travel in and out of the city is uninterrupted.
 The location of the Lafourche crevasse
  and there will likely be no more in that vicinity. The Texas and Pacific was equally lucky, the Bougere crevasse af- fecting a part of the new St. Louis line not yet in operation. The blocking off of the Mississippi Valley near Memphis works little harm the Arlington near Baton Rouge. being more important. As the new Ievee there had not even been built when high water came, disaster seemed certain, but the place is not only being held but in a few days will be se- cure. The crevasse fifty miles below the city, while affecting small territory be- cause of proximity to the gulf, Is likely to prove very costly. as 1t will damage vast oyster fields Tonight closes with little change in the situation and hope as bright as ever.
 Alarm at vicksburg.
 Vicksburg March 1s.-Alarming reports as to the imminence of a crevasse at Du- vall's Landing, in Issaquena county, caused considerable excitement here to- day as a break there would mean the flooding of the richest section of the Mis- sissippi delta. These fears were not quiet ed until afternoon. when the government steamer Arthur Hider, with Captain Ar thur Hider. United States engineer. on board, arrived in port from above. Cap tain Hider reports that the fears for the DuVall leveef are unfounded, as the em- bankment there is intact and shows no sign of weakness. Even If the outer levee did give way there Is an inner line of greater strength.
 Telephone messages tonight from points along the Louisiana shore report that everything is intact and standing the strain splendidly.
 Along the river front in this. city rather serious condition of affairs exists, as many warehouses and a number ot residences are flooded. with the water steadily climbing higher. and merchants are removing goods to places of safety At the Planters compress 5000 bales of cotton are being carted to the hills, as the river has invaded the compress yard The water works plant is also threat ened and 1t is feared that a shutdown will be enforced.
 The gauge tonight registers 4s.4 and rising.
 Situation at Natchez.
 Natchez, Miss, March 1s.--In spite of the great width of the river a rise of s inches is recorded by the gauge for the twenty-four hours ending at 4 D. m. This makes the Mississippi river at Natchez 4.'' a'ass- 'bs danger line and rising.