The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-01-27

Cnow Follows lncessant Downpour o.
Rain and Flood Situation In Franc,
Has Not Reached Worst stage
Cemeteries Are Under Water ane
Bodies Of Dead Remain In City
Fifty Thousand People Without
Shelter and Many Go Hungry.
Paris, Jan. 27.-There is reason tc
believe that the worst of the flood
has not yet been reached. The Seine
continues to rise in spite of the fact
that there was let-up OF several
hours in the downpour Of rain, and
hopes rose in consequence, but two
or three hours later snow began to
fall and IL has continued almost un.
oeasingly ever since. Meteorological
reports from the upper valleys of the
Seine and Its affiuents give no indica.
tion of permanent improvement, and
the central weather bureau of Paris
is unable to encourage hope that the
downfall will soon cease.
Early this morning, under the enor-
nous pressure of the flood, the retain
ing walls of the railway station on
the DUAL d'Orsay gave way. Immedi-
ately a tumultuous flood spread over
the entire quarter, causing panic
among the residents. The water rose
in the streets with frightful rapidity.
IL was necessary to get boats In a
hurry to begin the work of rescue of
those living near the river. Half-clad
the inhabitants OF the houses fiocked
to the windows shouting for help.
The Rue Lily and the Rue Poitiers
we're covered with water, which rose
at the rate of four inches a minute.
The boulevard st. Germaine was sim
ilarly inundated.
Serious accidents are feared on the
left bank of the Seine. The situation
remains inexpressibly deplorable in
the suburbs. Fifty thousand persons
are without shelter.
The water has spread through sew
eral more districts of the city. chiefly
through the various subways. II is as
though a subterranean lake existed
under Paris. with only thin crust to
support the city. Water bubbles
through In the most unexpected
places. Workmen were employed on
the main boulevards seeking holes in
the paving, and wherever they found
r crack 1t was cemented. A large part
OF the thoroughfare In front of the
st. Lazaire station was closed by
ropes lest the street subside. The
same thing was done in Rue Royale,
'acing the Church of the Madaline.
A main sewer at Clichy, the largest
Train in Paris, burst, and the possibil-
ty of other sewers bursting is one of
he gravest factors in the outlook.
The sanitary officials are gravely con
erned because the river and its over
low are already contaminated by re-
use OF all sorts washed down by the
orient. The street sweepings are
Isually loaded on barges and towed |
way but the blockade of the bridges
ow prevents this being done, and for
he last five days the sweepings have
cen dumped into the river. This |
nay lead to disease. The drinking
'ater supply has been cut in some
arts of the city owing. to its CON
animation. II is doubtful whether
he water now supplied anywhere in
he city can be safely consumed, even
hen II Is boiled.
Another serious problem is the dis.
osal of the dead. Some of the ceme-
cries are deeply flooded. One in an
astern suburb is under water to the
ross on the mortuary chapel Many
odies are awaiting burial in the city.
The prices of perishable food con
nue. to rise steadily. People with
pall incomes are being pinched by
lese inconveniences, but their dilem-
"a is merely picnic compared with
le sufferings of the thousands who
ave been driven from their homes.
Is figured that there are at least
1000 persons sheltered in public
glad to have straw mat
ess to lie on and a soldiers rations
n supper. Their homes and furni-
lro either lie soaking In mud and
ater or are completely wrecked, for
number of slight houses In the poor
lburban districts collapsed beneath
e pressure of the food. The city
self has been divided into five main
'ctions for the distribution of relief,
ider the joint control OF the military
'vernor and the prefect of police.