The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-21
MANY LEAVE LOWLANDS
Government WillSupply Tents
 and Provisions.
Relief Measures at Present Complete ly Inadequate to Cope With the Situation-The Delta
 Region in Danger.

of hope that was produced yesterday ana last night by the Mississippi river com ing to a stand at this point with forty feet on the gauge was dispelled today by the occurrence of two additional breaks in the St. Francis Levees north of the first crevasse at Trices Landing, Ark, and the grave reports that are be- ing received from Mississippi points as well as by a rise of one-tenth here.
 Today the St. Francis levees gave way at Random Shot and Shawnee Villege, Ark. the first about forty-two miles from Memphis and the second about thirty-five miles. Both crevasses are reported to be serious. the one at Shawnee being the worse. The two breaks today will prob ably slightly increase the water in the territory of Arkansas which was flooded by the break at Trice's and in addition they are flooding vast scope of country which has thus far been free of any con- siderable amount of water.
 The situation therefore in Arkansas is much complicated and made more grave than at any time during the flood. Just what will be the extent of the damage and suffering will not be known for sev- eral days and the calamities have come so thick and fast that relief measures have been and must be for several days completely inadequate.
 Danger in the Delta.
 The long line of levees that guard the river front of Mississippi and protect the vast and fertile delta region of that State and which have thus far stood firm against the great flood are reported to be tn a critical condition at many points and news of disasters from that country will not be surprising. At points the water Is going through the entertainments. flooding villages and plantations. and at other places the embankment is overtop- ped by tne flood and enormous quantities of water are being discharged into the country behind the earthworks.
 The encouraging feature tonight is the fact that the river here has remained stationary all day and that a falling stage is reported from St. Louis. Cairo and other points on the Mississippi and its tributaries. The stage this morning was 40.1 feet, rise of 0.1 in twelve hours. The stage has not changed during the day. This Is the greatest ever recorded and sets a new maximum.
 It is hoped that a fall will begin to- night or tomorrow. The new breaks on the Arkansas shore are thought to have considerable influence on the stage and the water being discharged through them and the first crevasse could easily hold the river in check here and for this req son the standing stage is not received with the satisfaction that 1t would other wise give.
 Refugees Flock to Memphis.
 Refugees are continuing to arrive in kreat numbers and the facilities are com pletely too limited to care for them. In response to a telegram asking for aid from Mayor Williams of this city, Secre- tary of War Root has answered that he will supply all needed tents as we'll as provisions for the flood sufferers.
 This offer will be accepted and 1t will be of great assistance to the authorities in handling the proposition for caring for the needy Secretary Root was authorized today by the cabinet to give the aid sought and the prompt action of the Sec retary and the cabinet has given the greatest satisfaction to the people of 4he city as to those of the surrounding territory who have been attempting to cope with the grave situation that con fronts them.
 Out of the refugee situation there Is growing a great hardship on the city and the planters of the regions that are es yet flooded. From the protected sec- tbns able bodied negro men and their entire families are coming to the city In la,ge numbers, ostensibly as flood refugees, but 1t Is claimed their real pur- poe Is to escape work and be cared for by the city and charitable citizens. Ths is not only increasing the rttYs burden but is working great hard shh upon the planters as they cannot seclre laborers which are so badly needed jus at present. There is practically no way to set apart the tmposters from the genuine and destitute refugees and then seems no way of relief from the impsition.
 Th railroad situation west of Memphis shots no improvement and although the varius systems that have had their tracs washed away by the flood are making strenuous efforts and are spartnS no 1oney to open their tracks. It Is repoed tonight that traffic is still com plet$ suspended ard that no predic- tions of the time ot' relief can yet be mad The two crevasses of today may tendto complcate the situation and 1t Is hlghF probable that this new pouring in of Nter will destroy tracks at other poin, in Arkansas to the west of the presat gaps.
 By Roundabout Routes.
 Byroundabout ways the railroads are earring wastbound passengers to their desuations The Yazoo and Mississippi temto Lakeview this morning. It Is nnnanced that the Choctaw will en- aea,r to send It's passengers west over khe Eazoo and Mississippi transfer boat andtracks to Helena, Ark. thence tc Forst City over the Iron Mountain iracs to the west. This announcement S.sas made today by General Passenger Agat George H. Let through District Fesenger Agent Goodrich here.
 fin the city the situation is about the ene Much of the manufacturing dis 4,c Is still flooded and in the residence prtons there is much suffering. Ele- vttd plank walks have been constructed arcss the flooded portions by the city ashprtaes and blanks from these lead